Belfast

The Battle Of St Matthews

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Henry McIlhone died in the Battle Of St Matthew’s, 27th June 1970 (along with McCurrie and Neill). There is also a memorial cross. James George and Bobby Jennings are recognized for their long-time contributions to the Short Strand community. The plaque was unveiled as part of the commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle.

“Cuıreadh an leac seo ın aırde ı ndíl [ndıl] chuımhne ar na daoıne ó pharóıste Naomh Maıtıú, a thug a gcuıd ama, a saoırse agus a mbeo leıs an cheantar seo agus a phobal a chosaınt, go mórmhór le lınn luatha tréımhse na coımhlınte seo. Ar an dóıgh chéanna lean sıad traıdısıún a thoısıgh sna 1920aí ı ndıaıdh críochdheıghılt ı gceantar macasamhaıl Baıle Mhıc Aırt an fód ın aghaıdh leatroım, an ıdırdhealaıthe agus ın éadan bagaırt an bháıs orthu. Tháınıg sıad le chéıle le sábháılteacht a muıntıre féın a chınntıú. Tá roınnt de na laochra sıúd ar shlí na fırınne anoıs, ach maıreann a gcrógacht agus a gcríonnacht go fóıll agus beıdh cuımhne agaınn ar an héachtraí a rınne sıad go deo na ndeor.”

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05645 [M05646]

Peace Cannot Be Kept By Force

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The theme “Remember the fallen from war” is illustrated by a bombed-out Ballymacarret library on Templemore Avenue and St. Patrick’s church, which is just across the street from the mural, both of which were hit during the blitz in 1942, a police land rover perhaps indicates the dead during the Troubles, while Cuchulainn stands for the IRA (and/or for the UDA?). The word “peace” appears next to an image of Stormont (bottom right) painted in white rather than grey.

We are supposed to remember the dead because (perhaps) their deaths were unnecessary and misguided as means to peace, at least according to the saying along the bottom (sometimes attributed to Einstein): “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding” – understanding of the Nazis during the blitz, it seems, and of loyalists during the Troubles. If you have a better interpretation, please (please!) leave a comment.

The mural was imitated on the hoarding around the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road during its renovation, though this version does not mention the blitz and seems to be lamenting the CNR dead and calling for understanding of the CNR community (sc. by Britain and the Orange state) – see X01279.

Lendrick Street, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05643

Thomas Russell

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“Thomas Russell, 1767-1803, United Irishman, “the man from God knows where“, librarian 1794-1796”. Russell was the second librarian of the Linen Hall Library and was arrested there in 1796 on a charge of inciting rebellion. For his part in the rebellion of 1803 he was executed by beheading at Downpatrick gaol, on October 21st.

Donegall Square North, Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05639

Cuba – Fifty Years Of Revolution

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2010 image of the 2009 Cuba mural, with the word “Venceremos” added on the left-hand side.

Pro-Cuba mural on the international wall and criticism of the Obama regime’s continuation of the US blockade. “The world opposes US blockade of Cuba. Time for a change Mr Obama.” “UN General Assembly resolution Oct 2008. Countries opposed to the blockade: 185. Countries in favour: 3 (US, Israel, Palau)”. “¡Aqui no se rinde nadie!” [There’s no giving up here!]

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05637

Falls Curfew July 1970

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2010 mural (unveiled July 4th on the 40th anniversary) of Máıre Drumm (WP) and the women of West Belfast breaking the British army curfew of the Lower falls in 1970 (brief interview footage from the 9:00 minute mark). Máıre Drumm was later shot dead in her bed in the Mater hospital where she was a patient.

The commemorative plaque that was next to Elaine’s and the Sınn Féın office was later moved to the top right corner of the mural. [M05736]

International wall, Divis St, Belfast. (A shot of this mural being painted can be found here.)

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05636

Éıst Le Raıdıó Fáılte

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“Belfast’s Irish language radio station”, “Guth nua Gaeılge”, “An Irish voice for all”, “Glór Beo Bríomhar” [An active, vigorous, voice]. Raıdıó Fáılte (Welcome Radio) broadcasts at 107.1 FM and raıdıofaılte.com.

International Wall (Visual History), Divis Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05635

Ag Fíorú Na Ceathrún Gaeltachta

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“Ag fıorú [sic] na ceathrún gaeltachta”/”Delivering on the Gaeltacht quarter”. Laochra Loch Lao [Belfast Lough Warriors] is a Gaelic-games club operating through Irish. The club’s emblem is the blackbird, from the ninth-century poem: “Int én bec/ro léıc feıt/do rınn guıp/glanbuıdı:/fo-ceırd faíd/ós Loch Laíg,/lon do chraíb/charnbuıdı.” “The little bird/that whistled shrill/from the nib of/its yellow bill/a note let go/o’er Belfast Lough/a blackbird from/a yellow whin” (Ciaran Carson’s translation). With support from Forbaırt Feırste.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M05634

Barbarian Israeli Aggression

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Updated pro-Palestinian mural on the so-called “International Wall.” For the original, see M03990. Centrally “We will return” has become “‘This is a war crime!’ – Yonaton Shapira, Israeli refusnik.” Shapira is a former Israeli pilot.

“Free Palestine from 60 years of Nakba! End this barbarian Israeli aggression! You destroy our home but we build a nation. 1300 slaughtered.”

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M04821