Deceased Members From St Matthew’s Parish

“This memorial cross is dedicated to the memory of all the deceased members from St Matthew’s Parish especially those who died as a result of the conflict in our country. Always remembered with love and respect by their families, friends and parishioners. Mary, queen of peace, pray for us. Dóıbh sıad uılıg as Paraıste Mhaıtıú Naofa atá anoıs ar shlí na fırınne go mórmhór dóıbh sıad a d’éag da bharr na comhlınte in ár dtír, a thıomnaıntear an chros seo. Beıdh dılchuımhne ag a muıntır féın, ag a gcaırde agus ag a gcomhrarsana orthu go brách agus is le grá agus meas a chuımhneofar orthu. A Mhuıre, banríon na Síochána, guıgh oraınn. May they all rest in peace. Suımhneas síoraí othru uılıg.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
[M04919] M04920

Killed In Action

The plaques read “36th Ulster Division – dedicated to all our fallen comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends. For God and Ulster.” and “From the officers and volunteers of East Belfast to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Great War.” The quadrants of the mural show (clockwise) soldiers in the trenches, soldiers manning a machine-gun, the death telegraph for William MacFadzean, and a soldier reflecting on a grave. UVF YCV “Lest we forget”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M04913 [M04907] [M04908] [M04909] [M04910] [M04911] [M04912]

Gateway To West Belfast

The power station below Divis tower, rather than the so-called International Wall a little further up the road, is becoming the starting point for (republican) west Belfast. Visitors from around the world are greeted in a variety of languages. The board is sponsored by Gort Na Móna Historical Society. Above it is a Fáılte Feırste Thıar [Welcome To West Belfast] tarp: “Promoting west Belfast tourism”.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M04901 M04902

Coıste Political Tours

“Over 40 years ago, the presence of this flag on this street unleashed a vicious campaign of discrimination and violence against this community lasting decades … 45 years on this flag can flow freely from every corner… all flags are welcome on this road and so are you … fáılte go dtí west Belfast .” The incident referred to is the “Tricolour Riots” of the 1964 Westminster election campaign, in which the IRA’s Billy McMillen (shown in the middle) stood for office. Armed police raided his Divis Street headquarters and removed a Tricolour in the window. An Phoblacht has an account of the election and events. Here is news video from 1964 of charges subsequently brought against 70 people. The US Stars & Stripes is included prominently in the array of flags, but the Union Flag is absent. Coıste’s website is now coiste.ie rather than .com.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M04900 [M4897] [M04898] [M04899]