CNR

Ireland’s Cross To Bear

Extramural Activity1 Comment
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Here are four panels on Beechmount Avenue (Belfast) in 1981 depicting (from left to right) Ireland in the grip of a fist with a Union Flag cufflink, a prison guard whose mouth holds prison bars, a naked figure in a tricoloured scarf crucified on a Union Flag, and Ireland carrying a cross “Made in Britain”.

At least three of the original images are by Jack Clafferty, a founder member of the Troops Out Movement, and can be found on-line.

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Copyright © 1981 LC
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The Final Salute

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The first names of six hunger-strikers — Bobby, Francis, Patsy, Raymond, Joe, Martin — on a ribbon held by a tricoloured phoenix against a sunburst, flanked by Starry Plough and Tricolour and volunteers firing a final salute. The ribbon would be expanded to include the first names of all ten 1981 hunger strikers – see the Paddy Duffy Collection.

Painted by Con in Rockdale Street, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 1981 LC
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We Must Grow Tough

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“We must grow tough, but without ever losing our tenderness.” Three female activists, one with a rifle, proclaim “Resistance” on the Falls Road, Belfast “painted by Sınn Féın Youth”. The phrase is attributed to Che Guevara. Rolston (1991 p. 94) claims this mural was done for International Women’s Day 1982 (March 6th). An in-progress image can be seen in the Paddy Duffy Collection.

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Copyright © 1981 LC
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We Remain What We Are

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“Of course we can be murdered, but while we remain alive, we remain what we are, political prisoners of war – B. Sands”. A lark in barbed wire on an Irish tricolour, with the names of the ten hunger-strikers who died: B. Sands, F. Hughes, P. O’Hara, K. Lynch, M. Devine, R. McCreesh, J. McDonnell, M. Hurson, K. Doherty, T, McIlwee [McElwee].

Whiterock Road, Belfast.

The latter images show an earlier version of the mural, with six names, and the wall in preparation.

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Copyright © 1981 LC
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