Belfast west

Tom Williams

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Tom Williams’s family was driven out of the Shore Road and settled in Clonard, where he joined the local Fıanna and then IRA. He was hanged at age 19 in Crumlin Road gaol for the killing of an RUC officer. Williams took responsibility so that the others in the gang, including Joe Cahill, could be reprieved. His body was buried in the prison but exhumed and re-buried in Milltown in 2000 (WP).

Next to the board is a plaque “dedicated to all from the Falls and Clonard areas who lost their lives as a result of the conflict in our country. A Mhuıre, banríon na nGael, guıgh orthu. [Mary, queen of the Gaels, pray for them]”

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Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01487

Coffin Ship

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One in four Irish people, more than 2 million people, left Ireland between 1845 and 1855, many sailing on so-called “coffin ships” which had mortality rates of 30%. Another million died in the Great Hunger itself, in most cases the proximate causes were fever and dysentery (WP | Irish Central).

Crocus Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01486

Save The Black Mountain

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“Protect your future”. Words from Joni Mitchell’s song Big Yellow Taxi are used to protest basalt quarrying on Black Mountain by Whitemountain Quarrying (part of the Lagan Group). The protests were led by local resident Terry Enright. Here are a Northern Visions TV interview and a NewStatesman article.

The mural also says “Happy 50th birthday, Ballymurphy”. Both Wikipedia and Ciarán De Baróid (Ballympurphy And The Irish War p. 9) give 1947 for the birth of Ballymurphy.

With USDT’s ‘Urban Initiative’, Corpus Christi Youth Centre, and Children In Need.

Springfield Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01485

“Kidso” Reilly

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Thomas “Kidso” Reilly was brother of Jim Reilly of Stiff Little Fingers and working as road manager for Bananarama when killed on the Springfield Road on August 9, 1983. Ian Thain, of the Light Infantry regiment, was convicted of his murder. He served less than three years before being released and rejoining the army (like Lee Clegg). (Guardian) “Always remembered by his friends – Trinity Lodge Celtic Supporters Club.”

Ardmonagh Gardens, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01481

Your Winning Team

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“Votáıl Adams” and the rest of the Sınn Féın’s team. Both Westminster and local elections were held on June 7th, 2001.

This is the first photographic election ad from Sınn Féın in the collection. Up to this point, there have only been painted boards.

Andersonstown Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01477

Vol. Kieran Doherty TD

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Kieran Doherty was elected TD (Teachta Dála) for Cavan-Monaghan three weeks into his 1981 hunger strike. He held the position for two months, until he died on August 2nd. The portraits, plaques, and mural of marchers are in his home area of Andersonstown. The words “It is not those who inflict the most, but those that can endure who shall conquer in the end” is an echo of Terence MacSwiney, whose hunger strike in 1920 lasted 74 days, one more than Doherty’s.

Painted by Lucas Quigley in Slemish Way, Andersonstown, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01474