Bobby Sands

The Undauntable Thought

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“Michael Ferguson Sınn Féın MLA 25-10-53–25-9-06. Sean Keenan Sınn Féın 9-5-50–31-7-06. “It lights the dark of this prison cell/it thunders forth its might/it is the undauntable thought, my friend/the thought that says ‘I’m right'” – Bobby Sands”. Keenan was son of Derry republican Seán Keenan.

“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. Óglach Patricia Black 28-11-71–15-11-91. Óglach Frankie Ryan 23-9-66–15-11-91. Beırıgí bua.” The pair died near London when a bomb exploded prematurely.

On Pantridge Road, which runs into Michael Ferguson Roundabout at its eastern end. (See Teeling Family.)

Black and Ryan are also remembered by a plaque in nearby Woodside (M08902).

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Gibraltar

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“I ndıl chuımhne – In proud and loving memory of Volunteers Dan McCann, Mairead Farrell, Sean Savage, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann who were executed by British Crown forces in Gibraltar 6th March, 1988.” The three were killed in Gibraltar by the SAS in what was known as “Operation Flavius”. The European Court Of Human Rights found that the use of force was unlawful. (WP)

“Oh! Cold March winds that pierce the dark/You cry in aged tones/For souls of folk you’ve brought to God/But still you bear the moans./Oh! Weeping wind this lonely night/My mother’s heart is sore,/Oh! Lord of all breathe freedom’s breath/That she may weep no more. – Bobby Sands”.

Hawthorn Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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Local Republican Activists

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“This mural is dedicated to the memory of those local republican activists who devoted their lives to the cause of Irish freedom. Ar son na cıse [sic]. Oglaıgh [sic] na hÉıreann. Unveiled by Sınn Féın councillors Martin Meehan and Margaret McClenaghan.”

“A, D, F foıreannacha, cathlann 3ru [sic], brıogaıd [sic] mBeal [sic] Feırste.

“‘Many suffer so that some day future generations may live in justice and peace’ – Vol Bobby Sands.”

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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The Graves Of Patriot Men And Women

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From left to right, the three stones read “We remember all those who played a part in our struggle locally. No part was too great, and none was too small. ‘Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.’ Bobby Sands”, “In proud and loving memory of our dear friends and comrades Vol Sean Dolan, died Oct 1941; Vol Joe McGinley, died Aug 1943; Vol Jim O’Hagan, died 19th Aug 1971; Vol Kieran Fleming, died 2nd Dec 1984; Vol Danny Doherty, died 6th Dec 1984; Vol Gerard Logue, died 22nd Mar 1987. I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh sıad.”, “‘Life springs from death and from the graves of patriot men and women spring living nations’ Patrick Pearse.” This IRA memorial garden is between Rose and Mimosa courts, off Trench Road, Derry.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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An Staılc Ocraıs

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For the 25th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike [staılc ocraıs], a prisoner reaches for a lark (the spirit of freedom) bathed in sunbeams like a beatific vision. “Go dtreoraí cuımhne bhur níobaırtí agus íobaırtí denár dtírghráthóırí náısıún beo bocht chun bua.” [“May the memory of your sacrifices and the sacrifices of our patriots guide a desperate nation to victory.”] The sentence is attributed to Bobby Sands but the source is unknown – please get in touch if you can place it.

Andersonstown Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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ETA – RIRA

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These hand-drawn BRY/RIRA murals are a montage of many traditional republican symbols, such as Celtic FC, the Easter lily, Bobby Sands, an assault rifle, the Tricolour and a crude island of Ireland. Plus support for Basque separatists ETA. “CRF” = “Catholic Reaction Force”?

Dove Gardens, Derry

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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Twinbrook Final Salute

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Three generations of republicans, from the Troubles, the Rising, and the Rebellion, salute “F[rankie] Ryan, B[obby] Sands, J[ohn] Rooney, G[erard] Fennell, B[artholomew] Teeling”. The first four are modern IRA volunteers; the last is a United Irishman from Lisburn (Rebel Breeze has a full account of his deeds).

For an unspoiled view, see J0194.

Juniper Way, Twinbrook, Dunmurry

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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