100th Anniversary Of The Formation Of The Ulster Volunteer Force

“100th Anniversary Of The Formation Of The Ulster Volunteer Force 1913-2013”, flanked by two large emblems, reading “Last Post Great War Society – 36th (Ulster) Division” and “Ulster Volunteer Force, west Belfast”.

Above the courtyard of the Rex Bar, Moscow Street, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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The Dogs

Above is a new board (on painted background) at the Falls Road Garden of Remembrance for IRA volunteers in D company (the ‘Dogs’) of the 2nd battalion Belfast Brigade and local civilians from the lower Falls who died in the 20s, 70s and 90s. The main board shows a map of the area from Dunville Park to the Divis flats with lilies marking the spots of various deaths. Surrounding it are the portraits of fourteen of the volunteers listed on the marble – Maguire, O’Rawe, McKelney, Donaghy, Quigley, McAreavey, Hughes, Loughran, MacBride, Kelly, Carson, Campbell, Skillen, Marley.

The text in the close-up gives a history of the birth of the Provisionals and D company’s defense of the area in the Falls Curfew of 1970. Also mentioned is the 1972 hunger strike by Billy McKee and others in the Crumlin Road Gaol (NYTimes).

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Free Otegi

This pro-Basque mural on the International Wall on Divis Street calls for the release of Arnaldo Otegi, one-time ETA member and leader of a pro-Basque party, along with other political prisoners. (More information on Otegi at ig and WP.) “Pake bidean” is the Basque for “The pathway to peace”. 

(The mural is at the eastern end of the wall; takes the place of the Ian Knox anti-racism mural featured in Never Actually Existed.)

Update: Otegi was released in March, 2016 (Irish Times)

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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O’Neill & Beattie

“Anti-Racism World Cup. In memory of Dick O’Neill, Springfield Road, who fell [in the Spanish Civil War] at Jarama 14th February 1937, and, William Beattie, Wilton Street, Shankill Road, who fell at Brunete 23rd July 1937. No Pasarán!” Both towns are near Madrid. The flags are those of the International Brigade and the Irish Citizen Army.

See also the other tribute to the cross-community draw of International Brigade: Break The Connection With Capitalism.

The Anti-Racism World Cup is a soccer tournament held at the grounds of Donegal Celtic. See East Meets West.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Those That They Forgot To Kill

“Says Joe, ‘Those that they forgot to kill went on to organise’ – from The Ballad Of Joe Hill”

Conway Street sponsored by the Australian Electrical Trades Union (ETU) in Victoria (web). “Independent, strong, united”

In Conway Street, alongside another Australian-sponsored mural: Australian Aid

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Blood Of An Irish Rebel

“Che Guevara – Blood of an Irish rebel.” Che’s father declared that the blood of Irish rebels ran through his son, in reference to their Irish ancestry. For genealogical information, see the previous entry on the Che Guevara Lynch mural in Derry.

The mural was painted for the anniversary of Che Guevara’s death, on October 9th, 1967. The mural features multiple copies of Korda’s iconic Guerillero Heroico (discussed in the Visual History page on Jim Fitzpatrick), two quotes from Che – “When forces of oppression come to maintain themselves in power against established law, peace is considered already broken” and “If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine” – and the flags of (from left to right) the Basque Country, Palestine, Ireland, Cuba, Catalonia and Argentina (where Che was born; or perhaps Guatemala, where he was first active – the shield above contains no central icon, which would distinguish the flags).

The artist is Damian “DeeDee” Walker, of the Gaelforce group (Fb).

McQuillan Street, Falls Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Gerard McDade

“In proud and loving memory of Vol. Gerard [Gerald] McDade, Belfast Brigade, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. Murdered by British Crown Forces 21st December 1971, aged 23 years. NÍ dhéanfaıdh muıd dearmad [gur] fuaır sé bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. Remember Our Volunteers Committee, 17th December 2011.”

McDade was staff captain of 3rd battalion. He was stopped on foot in Ardoyne (where he is also remembered) and was shot while trying to run off (Belfast Child). This plaque, in Beechmount Road, was mounted for the fortieth anniversary of his death.

The plaque is on the whitewashed gable that was previously the site of a mural to volunteers Liam “Bulmer” McParland, Billy Carson, Liam Mulholland, and Sean Doyle – see Ballymurphy Resistance.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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