Belfast west

I’m Not A Criminal

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“Vol. Kieran Nugent – the first blanketman. ‘I’m not a criminal – the Brits will have to nail prison clothes to my back.'”

This mural was originally launched in February surrounded by a selection of posters from the era (see The First Blanketman and for close-ups see the post at Extramural). These have all now been stripped away and the red background (which was present for the previous mural – see Ciarán Nugent) has been repainted.

Rockville Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Uachtarán Na nDaoıne

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Sınn Féın hoardings in Andersonstown, first at the former Andersonstown RUC barracks supporting Martin McGuinness as Sınn Féın candidate for “The people’s president” and then two at Connolly House, again supporting McGuinness and announcing the (now passed) Sınn Féın Ard Fheıs: ı dtreo poblacht nua – towards a new republic.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Kieran Doherty TD

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“Vol. Kieran Doherty, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, age 25, commenced his hunger strike on May 22 and tragically died on Sunday afternoon 2nd Aug 1981. Kieran was elected TD by the people of Cavan and Monaghan in their support of the prisoners’ campaign for political status.” “It is not those who inflict the most but those who endure the most who shall conquer in the end – this [paraphrase of 1920 hunger-striker Terence MacSwiney] was one of the last messages sent out of the H-Blocks by Vol Kieran Doherty TD.”

The mural on the stairs has been removed – compare with 2004, which also has close-ups.

This portrait and plaque to Doherty are at the bottom of Slemish Way at the junction with the Andersonstown Road; there is a memorial stone at the top of Slemish Way on Commedagh Drive.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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C Coy, 2nd Battalion, Belfast Brigade

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A tarp with portraits of members of the IRA’s Clonard company is added to the Memorial Garden/Gaırdín Cuımhneacháın in Bombay Street, Belfast. Included are Sean Gaynor (whose portrait is missing), Tom Williams, Gerald McAuley, Finbarr McKenna, and Dan McCann & Seán Savage. The full list can be found in Clonard Martyrs.

“Dedicated to the memory of local Republican, Billy Davidson.”

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Tom Williams

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“In loving memory of Vol. Tom Williams “C. Coy” 2nd Battalion Belfast Brigade IRA who lived here [46 Bombay Street, where Williams lived with his grandmother Fay] and was executed in Belfast Gaol [Crumlin Road] 2nd Sept 1942, aged 19 years. Ar dheıs Dé go ra[ı]bh a anam. Erected by National Graves Association, Belfast 1992.”

Williams, the unit’s leader, took sole responsibility for the killing of RUC Constable Patrick Murphy, hoping that it would save the lives of the other seven (including two women) who had taken part in the ambush. The six men were jointly convicted of the killing but only Williams was ultimately hanged, after appeals from Ireland (not yet officially ‘The Republic Of’), the Vatican, and the US State Department (RN).

There is a portrait of Williams at the bottom of Clonard Street, and a mural in Kashmir Street in the 1990s.

Bombay Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Gerald McAuley

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“In memory of Fıan Gerald McAuley (aged 15) killed while defending the people of Clonard on the 15th August 1969. Erected by the Greater Clonard Ex-Prisoners Association.” McAuley was killed during the riots in August 1969 that mark the start of “the Troubles” (An Phoblacht). The plaque is near the spot where he was killed. His portrait was above the No Decommision mural and then in the Never Again mural in Bombay Street.

Waterville Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Bryson-Mulvenna

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A second plaque has been added to the mural of Patrick Mulvenna and Jim Bryson and the mural itself has been refreshed: the lark in the apex has been replaced by funeral trappings and the knot-work frame has been painted over.

“In proud and loving memory of Óglach Patrick Mulvenna, shot dead by British crown forces near this spot while an active service, 31st August 1973, and of his comrade Óglach Jim Bryson, also shot and died of his wounds, 22nd September 1973. Belfast Brigade Óglaigh na hÉıreann. I measc laoachra na nGael go raıbh sıad.”

Ballymurphy Road, Belfast

For the other, original, plaque and the original mural, see Bryson-Mulvenna.

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Copyright © 2013/2011 Peter Moloney
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