James Connolly

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James Connolly (186-1916) wears the initials “ICA” on his collar, standing for “Irish Citizen Army”, the force that he led during the Rising at Easter/Cáısc 1916.

Between Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann and Wear An Easter Lily in Ballycolman estate, Strabane

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Copyright © 1989 Peter Moloney
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The Felons

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From inside the Felons Club in Andersonstown, Belfast: a version of Walter Paget’s Birth Of The Irish Republic above the famous quote from Pearse’s O’Donovan Rossa oration – “The fools, the fools, they have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace” — along with portraits of hunger strikers.

For a history of the club in its previous locations, see this Danny Morrison remembrance.

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Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
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Those Who Gave Their Lives For Ireland’s Freedom

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These images show a mural nearing completion in Norglen Gardens, Belfast, featuring a Celtic cross and the three republican flags (Tricolour, Sunburst, Starry Plough). “In proud memory of those who gave their lives for Ireland’s freedom. Also to all civilians murdered by the British crown forces. Also to all civilians murdered by pro-British elements.” The listed volunteers (and one Sınn Féın member) are “Martin Forsythe, Martin Skillen, Gerard Fennell, Terence O’Neill, John Dempsey, Sean McDermott, Tom Magill, Sean Savage, Kevin McCracken, Paul Best”. The other mural is of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation.

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Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
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1916 – 1969

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The volunteers on the left (from 1916) and right (from 1969) each hold a rifle, and the blanket man in the middle also appears to be holding a staff of some sort. Get in touch if you know exactly what it is, and if you can identify the Twinbrook street (Gardenmore Road?) where the mural was.

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Copyright © 1987 Peter Moloney
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1916-1982/Break Thatcher’s Back

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Here is a 1982 image of the Break Thatcher’s Back mural in Rockmore Road, Belfast, showing a blanket man with outstretched arms demanding “status now”, framed by a large “H” and surrounded by barbed wire, Tricolours, and the Starry Plough. In 1981, there was a Sean O’Casey quote on the left, rather than a lily and the year of the Easter Rising — 1916. “Free Belfast” in the top left.

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Copyright © 1982 LC
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