Belfast west

Na Cımí Poblachtánacha

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2002 image of the republican prisoners board in Beechmount Avenue, Belfast. In addition to the 1981 hunger strikers and Stagg and Gaughan, the mural mentions Paddy Joe Crawford, Francis Dodds, Patrick Teer, Teddy Campbell, Hugh Coney, Jim Moyne, Henry Henry, Sean Bateson, Pol Kinsella (all from Long Kesh), Tom Smyth, Brendan Seery, Paddy Kelly (Portlaoise), Noel Jenkinson and Sean O’Conaill (who died in English prisons).

“I ndıl chuımhne na gcımí poblachtánacha a fuaır bás ı ngéıbheann ı rıth na coımhlınte reatha seo.” [In memory of the republican prisoners who died in captivity in the course of this ongoing (lit. running) contest.]

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01670

St James’s Supports The Hunger Strikers

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St James’s supports the hunger strikes – in Long Kesh and Armagh and (on the right) in Turkey.

Various images and posters from 1980 and 1981 are reproduced. Along the top, we see (l-r) a soldier is confronted at the top of Springhill (image at Irish Times), “Wanted for murder [and torture of Irish prisoners]” (image at MSU), “Mothers hunger”, “Blessed are those who hunger for justice“, “Where there is oppression there is resistance”, Armagh hunger-striker Mary Doyle.

Along the bottom: “Stop strip searches“, “Save our children from plastic death”, “Support the hunger strike demands”, and portraits of 1981 hunger-strikers Bernard Fox and Pat Sheehan, both from the Falls Road.

For Turkish hunger-strikers, see F-Block Martyrs | Zehra Kulaksiz | Support The Turkish Hunger Strikers.

On the side-wall to the left, son Joseph McDonnell weeps at the foot of the coffin of his father, Joe.

For in-progress images, see the 2001 post.

Hugo Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2002/2003 Peter Moloney
M01664 M01665 M01973

Restore Political Status

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“Restore political status – Stand by Maghaberry POWs.” Inside a rectangle of barbed wire is a lark carrying an assault rifle and a watchtower (from Long Kesh) and Faintly seen towards the top is “81 – 02 Óglaıgh na hÉıreann”. Whiterock Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01663

Where ’81 Never Happened

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“HMP Maghaberry = Stormonts’ best kept secret. “Where ’81 never happened” – 32CSM” and a list of “Six County POWs”. First appearance of both 32CSM (32-county Sovereignty Movement) and IRPWA (Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association).

Whiterock Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01662 M01661

Ballymurphy Cumann Na mBan

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Volunteers in Cumann Na mBan (or youth wing Cumann Na gCaılíní) from Ballymurphy and Springhill are remembered in a mural in Ballymurphy Road, Belfast. Anti-clockwise, they are Maura Meehan, Anne Marie Pettigrew, Dorothy Maguire, Eileen Mackin, Catherine (Cathy) McGartland, Anne Parker. All but Mackin are included in the Greater Ballymurphy plaque.

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01660

Who Gave Their Lives For Irish Freedom

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“In loving memory of volunters [sic] John Stone, Jason McWilliams, Kevin McCracken, and John Dougal.” The four IRA members are shown in front of the Springhill shops, with a Sınn Féın banner above the windows. With additional portraits of local activists Annie McWilliams, Mary Austin, Kathleen Clarke.

Springhill Drive, Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01658 M01659

Bryson-Mulvenna

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“In memory of [IRA] volunteers Jim Bryson and Patrick Mulvenna. Died on active service 1973”. The pair were killed by undercover British Army soldiers firing from above the Ballymurphy shops (Broken Elbow). Mulvenna died immediately (August 30th), Bryson three days later. Another plaque will later be added to the centre of the mural.

Ballymurphy Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01656 M01657