Strabane

His Name Was Connolly

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“Cuımhníonn An Srath Bán orthu go deo”. ICA leader James Connolly was executed by firing squad in the grounds of Kilmainham jail on the morning of May 12th, 1916. He was tied to a chair because a bullet-wound to the ankle that he received in the GPO had turned gangrenous.

Also included is an RNU (Fb) stencil reading, “End British political policing, end internment of Irish citizens. Join RNU”.

Ballycolman Avenue, Strabane

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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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Poblacht Na hÉıreann

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On April 24th, 1916, Patrick Pearse stood on the steps of Dublin’s General Post Office and read out a proclamation declaring an Irish republic; the proclamation had been prepared by the military council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood – Thomas Clarke, Seán Mac Dıarmada, Patrick Pearse, James Connolly, Thomas MacDonagh, Eamonn Ceannt, Joseph Plunkett – and their (printed) signatures were included at its end.

Copies of the proclamation were handed out on O’Connell Street and perhaps as many as 2,500 were printed in total (NMI) but now only about fifty copies remain (Irish Central). This giant copy of the proclamation was mounted in Strabane for the centenary of the Rising, reproducing (as the note at the bottom says) “a reproduction of the poster”. (For a discussion of attempts to recreate the Proclamation, as well as images of originals, see Type Foundry.)

Melvin Road, Strabane

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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
M12934

Cuımhníonn An Srath Bán Orthu Go Deo

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“Strabane remembers them forever” – the dead of the “unfinished revolution, unfinished business” of the 1916 Easter Rising. The central image on the large tarp is a modified version of the 1941 stamp designed by Victor Brown showing an armed volunteer outside the GPO (stampboards).

The IRPWA (web) board reads, “Gavin Coyle – 4+ years in solitary confinement. End the isolation in MagHaberry.” Coyle is serving ten years for possession of arms and explosives and is now charged with the 2008 death of off-duty PSNI officer (Guardian | BBC). (An identical board was also placed at the Melmount Road roundabout. See M12838.)

The hand-made board reads, “End RUC-PSNI harassment”. For the small mural to the right, see Bobby & Che.

The board in the adjacent Townsend Street commemorates both the 1916 signatories – “We declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland” – and Troubles-era volunteers Charles Breslin, Michael Devine, and David Devine.

Fountain Street and Townsend Street, Strabane

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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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M12926 [M12927]
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Strabane INLA Memorial

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“Arm Saoırse Náısıúnta na h-Éıreann. [INLA] Vol. James McPhilemy, killed in action 10 August 1988; [INLA] Vol. Alex Patterson killed in action 12 November 1990. ‘Your spirit will live on in the hearts of all who cherish freedom, justice and equality. Fuaır sıad bás ar son saoırse na h-Éıreann.”

Gallany Court, Strabane

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
M06212 [M06211] [M06210] [M06209]