“Óglach Joe McDonnell died on hunger strike in the H Blocks of Long Kesh July/ 8th/ 1981. ‘You dare to call me a terrorist while you look down your gun.’ [youtube]”
Kieran Doherty died on August 2nd, 1981, after 73 days on hunger-strike. The (repainted – compare to 2001 | 2004 | 2011) mural in his memory depicts scenes from his funeral on 1981-08-04.
The photograph on which the central panel is based is by Derek Spiers; see also this set at hungerstrikes.org. The volley took place outside the Doherty family home in nearby Commedagh Drive (Belfast Media).
The portrait of Doherty in the top left replaces a similar one in the same location; the plaque at the portrait’s top-right corner remains from before. The angled panel shows Doherty’s parents, Alfie and Margaret.
The (actual) memorial stone, which is here reproduced on the perpendicuar joining wall, was also seen in 2007.
“After we are gone what will you say you were doing? Will you say you were with us in our struggle, or were you with the very system that drove us to our deaths?”
“In proud memory of the ten H-Block martyrs who died on hunger strike in Long Kesh during the struggle for political status.”
Patsy O’Hara of the INLA (the IRSP is its political wing) died on hunger strike on May 21st, 1981.
“Died before surrender – 5th May – 20th August 1981. 30th anniversary. Erected by Newry Independent Republican 1981 Committee.”
“Stormont facilitates internment” replaces “End Israeli terror in Palestine” on top of the hunger striker commemoration board (erected in 2011) at the junction of Camlough and Carnagat roads at Derrybeg.
“Justice for the Craigavon 2” – this is the second piece in the Peter Moloney Collection about the campaign to release Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton, the pair convicted for their part in the 2009 killing of Stephen Carroll (BBC) – the first was a piece of graffiti in Ardoyne in 2013.
“Rem[ember] 80/81”. Here is a vintage nail-up on the Falls Road (at the Rock streets). It’s at least eight years old, and perhaps more. It notably includes the 1980 hunger strike.
The 1916 Societies board is on top of a long-standing “H” (going back to 2009, if not before).
Perpendicular to the road are small boards calling for the release of Martin Corey and political status, and a large board commemorating the hunger strikers: “H-Block martyrs – remember them always – the struggle for political status – Republican Sınn Féın”
The small framed board to the left of “Free Kilwilkie” gives a line from James Connolly’s Last Statement prior to his execution in 1916: “The British government has no right in Ireland, never had any right in Ireland, never can have any right in Ireland”.
This IRSP (web) board in Rossville Street, Derry, includes colour photographs of local INLA volunteers Patsy O’Hara and Michael Devine, along with a gallery of all ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers.
The same board was also mounted in William Street.
“Dedicated to the memory of those who died, their families, and indeed all the loyal people of Loughmacrory and surrounding areas, who despite all, remained faithful to Ireland and the republican ideal. ‘I have no prouder boast than to say I am Irish and have been privileged to fight for the Irish people and for Ireland. If I have a duty, I will perform it to the full in the unshakeable belief that we are a noble race and that chains and bonds have no part in us.’ Vol. Francis Hughes.”
“Comrádaıthe na n-arm. This plaque is dedicated to IRA volunteers Gerard Harte, Martin Harte, Brian Mullin who were killed in action at Drumnakilty on Tuesday 30th August 1988. Go luı cré arsa Thír Eoghaın go héadrom ar láthaır scíthe ár laochra uaısle. [May the ancient Tyrone clay lie lightly on the resting place of our noble heroes]”
The Clowney Street phoenix, originally painted in 1981, is repainted – for a history, see The Oldest Murals.
Above, the board at the centre of the mosaics has changed, from an image of blanketmen to a montage of photographs “commemorating the courage and sacrifice of the hunger strikers”.