Belfast west

Jim Stranney

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“Jim Stranney, republican and socialist, 1915-1938, fought and died in the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939. ‘You were of the people and for the people your life was laid.’ No pasarán. Erected by Teach Na Fáılte [INLA ex-prisoners] & The Belfast Cultural and Local History Group.” Stranney was killed in an assault on a fascist position near Gandesa on July 30th or 31st, 1938 (Belfast Media | tw). For a brief biography see CarltonBooks.

Above the door of 10 John Street, Belfast, which is perhaps where his parents lived.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08640

The Heart Of The Empire

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“Belfast, Shankill Road the heart of the empire salutes her majesty on 60 glorious years.” [1952-2012]

This is a new three-part installation of boards on Crimea Street for Queen Elizabeth’s diamond (60th) jubilee. For “Ulster To England” see Ulster Girl. On the left are flags of the home nations along with the Royal Standard and Union Flag.

For some close-ups, see the Seosamh Mac Coille collection.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Four Step Inn

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“Fourstep Inn, bombed 10.20 pm Wednesday 29th September 1971, 2 people [Alexander Andrews and Ernest Bates] killed”,

The plaque is on what is now the Northern Ireland Supporters Club, on the Shankill Road at Lanark Way. The pub was full of Linfield supporters watching the 2nd leg of the match against Standard Liège – 27 more people were injured in the blast (Irish Times).

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M05501

RHC A Company

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A few words of Irish – “Lamh Dearg Abu” – in a loyalist mural in Glenwood Street, just off the Shankill Road, through strictly it should be “Lámh Dhearg Abú”. “Lámh dhearg” means “red hand”, and this is a Red Hand Commandos’ mural.

The same motto was on the mural that this one replaced, which can be seen at M02433.

The scrolls name ten RHC units, including “North Down” as distinct from “Co. Down”, “South East Antrim” as distinct from “Co Antrim”, and England and Scotland.

The panels of text are two verses from Robert Laurence Binyon’s For The Fallen and some lines from Rudyard Kipling’s Ulster (here given as “Ulster 1912”: “Believe we dare not boast/Believe we dare not fear/We stand to pay the cost/In all that men hold dear”

Glenwood Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Somme 1916

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A mural from 1st Shankill Somme association (Fb) commemorating the Battle of the Somme, with soldiers running through no-man’s land and the Ulster Tower memorial. With support from the Govan Somme Association, Grapes Bar, Glasgow.

Replaces the Tombo Kinner mural.

On the locally-named “Passchendaele Court” (a.k.a. Conway Walk, off Conway St.).

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Official Republican Movement

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A gallery of republican socialist icons: a tarp to Joe McCann – ‘Soldier of the people, Joe McCann 1947-1972 Official IRA’ (WP); a board with a Liam McMillen quote – ‘”We stand not on the brink of victory but on the brink of sectarian disaster”, Liam McMillen, Bodenstown June 28th 1973’ (see the original post on the McMillen board) – and Joe McCann in silhouette; and two circular pieces, one showing the Starry Plough (created in 1914 as the flag of the Irish Citizen Army) and one to co-founder of the ICA ‘James Connolly 1868-1916’ (WP).

The McMillen and Connolly boards replace earlier versions – see On The Brink Of Sectarian Disaster. The Official Republican Movement board was previously around the corner, on the Falls Road.

Above the mural to James Connolly and Nora Connolly.

Clondara Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Update: 2014 wide shot

M10850 [M12615]

No Right In Ireland

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“The British government has no right in Ireland, never had any right in Ireland, and never can have any right in Ireland.” (Last Statement, 1916) 

“James Connolly 1868-1916 James Connolly was born in June 5th 1868. In 1810 he became organiser for the Irish Transport And General Workers Union in Belfast. In 1913 he co-founded the Irish Citizen Army. He was one of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation and commanded HQ in the GPO during the 1916 Rising. He was executed by the British on May 12th 1916.” 

“Nora Connolly O’Brien 1893-1981 Nora Connolly was the 2nd daughter of James Connolly. Nora was a member of Cumann Na mBan and the Gaelic League in Belfast. She played an organisational role in the ICA in the run up to the 1916 Rising. She was a trade unionist and remained so throughout her life.”

The mural was launched on May 3rd.

Clondara Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Collusion – State Murder

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“Crime is crime is crime” said UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in a 1981 news conference in Saudi Arabia. Her words are used against her and the UK government and armed forces: “We want you to tell us the truth [about collusion]”.

Beechmount Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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