This is the 2012 instantiation of a tradition on the Twinbrook shops of marking the anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike (though portraits of Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan are included). The tradition began in 2006 with the 25th anniversary | 27th anniversary | 29th anniversary | 30th anniversary.
This is an updated version of the Gibraltar 3 mural in Twinbrook. The quote from Farrell (see the 2008 version) has fallen off and been replaced with the words “murdered in Gibraltar by British crown forces.”
“Colin area remembers with pride and honour Vol. Maıréad Farrell, Vol. Sean Savage, Vol. Dan McCann”
Local IRA volunteers are commemorated in multiple stones in the Twinbrook memorial garden. On the main wall – which is a new addition – are listed Sean Keenan, Michael Ferguson, Lily Campbell, Mary Keenan, Eddie Keenan, Mary McKee, Hugh McKee. On the obelisk on the left (see previously Twinbrook & Poleglass IRA) are Gerard Fennell, John Rooney, Bobby Sands, Frankie Ryan. On the stone to the right – which was previously outside the railings (see M03008) – are the twelve deceased Troubles-era hunger strikers.
“The day will dawn when the people of Ireland will show this desire for freedom. It’s then we will see the rising of the moon. [– Bobby Sands’s prison diary]”
“I have sacrificed for the republic all that man holds dear – my wife, my children, my liberty, my life. – Wolfe Tone”
“The road for suffering is paved with suffering, hardships and torture, carry on my gallant and brave comrades until that certain day. – Tom Williams”
“I too have fought for my freedom not only in captivity but also outside where my country is held captive. I have the spirit of freedom that cannot be quenched. [– Bobby Sands]”
“This monument has been re-dedicated by the people of Twinbrook and Poleglass in honour of those volunteers of Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann who gave their lives for Irish freedom.”
Bobby Sands grew up and went to school in Rathcoole but in 1972, when he was eighteen, the family home was attacked. They moved to Twinbrook, where Sands joined the IRA (Bobby Sands Trust | WP). A nearby installation on the footpath claims that Twinbrook is the “Home Of Bobby Sands“.
This mosaic is near the Twinbrook home, on the same wall that was the site of the Carol-Ann Kelly mural. Kelly was killed two weeks after Sands’s death.
“Sınn Féın national hunger strike commemoration – 2012. March & rally – 2 pm Sunday 5th August, Dungiven – Co. Derry. Main speaker Michelle O’Neill MLA. Dungiven 81 Committee/1981 Dún Geımhın.” There is video of the event from An Phoblacht/Sınn Féın.
“This monument is dedicated to all those from the South Down locality who lost their lives or played a part in the fight for Irish freedom. Fuaır sıad bas [bás] ar son saoırse na heıreann [hÉıreann]”: [IRA volunteers] Peter McNulty, James Carlin, Martin Curran, Leo O’Hanlon, Vivien Fitzsommons, Alphonsus Cunningham, Pauline Kane, Paul Magorrian, Francis Rice, and Colum Marks, who is also included in a north Down memorial.
With adjacent stencil from anti-Agreement republicans: “Restore political status”
“I ndıl chuımhne ar na hÓglaıgh a fuaır bás ar son na hÉıreann: an tÓglach Colm Marks, a maríodh san áıt seo [who was killed at this spot] 10-4-1991 agus na hÓglaıgh eıle a fuaır bás ı nDún Pádraıg”. Marks was killed in an alleged shoot-to-kill incident in 1991 (An Phoblacht).
Others killed in Downpatrick include Seamus Blaney, James Carlin, Dickie Curran, Leo Hanlon, Vivienne Fitzsimons, and – a new, historical, addition – Thomas Russell “the man from God knows where” and United Irishman who was hanged and beheaded outside Downpatrick jail in 1803 for his part in the rising.
“The fools, the fools, they have left us our fenian dead and while Ireland holds these graves Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.” [Padraig Pearse’s oration at the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa in 1915]
“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann An Dún Theas” [North Down IRA]
“Thug sıad a raıbh acú [sic] ar son saoırse na hEırınn [sic].” “From death springs life and from the graves of patriots springs a great nation. [from Pearse’s oration at O’Donovan Rossa’s funeral].” The volunteers listed are Jake McGerrigan, Tony Hughes, Peadar McElvanna, Tony McClelland, Petter Corrigan, Seamus Grew, Roddy Carroll, Gerard Mallon, Sean McIlvanna [McIlvenna], Martin Corrigan, Dessie Grew. McGerrigan and Hughes were OIRA.