“Vote Republican”: In the old Unity flats, a board promoting Sinn Féin and specifically Harry Fitzsimmons, in the 1985 elections for Belfast City Council (ARK). Unity Place, Belfast.
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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
M00296
Here – badly damaged – is the first mural in Sevastopol Street, Belfast, showing workers reading the paper against the background of an edition of the paper commemorating the Easter Rising. “Official organ of the Republican Movement: Contents include War News, Features, IRA Statement, Prison News from Ireland & England, News from throughout the 32 Counties, Solidarity News from Abroad.” The emblem of the United Irishmen – a maid of Erin harp with the words “Equality – It is new strung and shall be heard” – is in the top left.
“Painted by Beechmount & Iveagh Sınn Féın Youth.”
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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
M00295
This two-part mural in Forest Street, Belfast, features (left) a Sunburst and a Starry Plough on either side of two volunteers who are watching the sun rise/set and (right) “Struggle for freedom” below an outline of the island against the green-white-and-gold stripes of the tricolour.
This mural dates back to 1981.
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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
M00293 M00294
The weapons of the IRA are on display in this Whiterock Road, Belfast mural. Please e-mail/comment if you can identify the machine gun in the centre.
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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
M00291
“Solidarity between women in armed struggle” across the world: female members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Cumann Na mBan, and the Southwest African People’s Organisation (from Namibia) drawn within the symbol for woman (also the planet Venus in astrology). The mural (or perhaps the wall) was “Improved by Sınn Féın Youth” and on the side-wall: “Cowardly loyalists backout”. Falls Road, Belfast
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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
M00290
PLO and IRA volunteers share an RPG launcher, symbolizing their “One struggle”. “Painted by the Irish Republican Youth Movement.” Beechmount (a.k.a. RPG) Avenue, Belfast.
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Copyright © 1982 LC
M00587
Here is a 1982 image of the 1981 Connolly mural on Beechmount Avenue, Belfast (aka RPG Avenue), showing some vandalism on the right-hand side.
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Copyright © 1982 LC
M00138
Here is a 1982 image of the Break Thatcher’s Back mural in Rockmore Road, Belfast, showing a blanket man with outstretched arms demanding “status now”, framed by a large “H” and surrounded by barbed wire, Tricolours, and the Starry Plough. In 1981, there was a Sean O’Casey quote on the left, rather than a lily and the year of the Easter Rising — 1916. “Free Belfast” in the top left.
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Copyright © 1982 LC
M00212 M00213
This mural celebrates the IRA (“Óglaigh Na hÉıreann” at the top) from 1919 (the army of the independent Dáıl Éıreann) to the “present” day of 1982. In the centre, a lark flies against a Tricolour, with the word “Saoırse” (“freedom”) beneath.
According to AP/RN of 1982-04-29, the (earlier) paint-bombing visible in the bottom image was the handiwork of “marauding Coldstream Guards”.
Islandbawn Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 1982 Peter Moloney
M00202 M00203
A phoenix rises from a pair of disembodied hands tearing apart an “H” made of brick, illustrating the lines “and then I prayed I yet might see/our fetters rent in twain/and Ireland long a province be/a nation once again”. Also with the lark in barbed wire, four provinces, and names of six hunger strikers: Bobby Sands MP, Francis Hughes, Ray McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson. Falls Road in Andersonstown, Belfast.
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Copyright © 1981 LC
M00223
Peter Moloney Collection 