“[If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and, mayhap, raise a force that will destroy you.] We defy you! Do your worst” The quote is from Connolly’s Courtsmartial And Revolution.
A gallery of republican socialist icons: a tarp to Joe McCann – ‘Soldier of the people, Joe McCann 1947-1972 Official IRA’ (WP); a board with a Liam McMillen quote – ‘”We stand not on the brink of victory but on the brink of sectarian disaster”, Liam McMillen, Bodenstown June 28th 1973’ (see the original post on the McMillen board) – and Joe McCann in silhouette; and two circular pieces, one showing the Starry Plough (created in 1914 as the flag of the Irish Citizen Army) and one to co-founder of the ICA ‘James Connolly 1868-1916’ (WP).
“The British government has no right in Ireland, never had any right in Ireland, and never can have any right in Ireland.” (Last Statement, 1916)
“James Connolly 1868-1916 James Connolly was born in June 5th 1868. In 1810 he became organiser for the Irish Transport And General Workers Union in Belfast. In 1913 he co-founded the Irish Citizen Army. He was one of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation and commanded HQ in the GPO during the 1916 Rising. He was executed by the British on May 12th 1916.”
“Nora Connolly O’Brien 1893-1981 Nora Connolly was the 2nd daughter of James Connolly. Nora was a member of Cumann Na mBan and the Gaelic League in Belfast. She played an organisational role in the ICA in the run up to the 1916 Rising. She was a trade unionist and remained so throughout her life.”
An information board is added below the plaque and mask of James Connolly on the front of the house in which he and his family lived, from 1910 to 1913, at Glenalina Terrace on the Falls Road.
Connolly House, on the Andersonstown Road, Belfast, is the home of Sınn Féın. Connolly’s portrait is on the railings, on the outside wall is the plaque to John/Sean Downes, the roll of honour is on an inside wall (“this plaque was smashed by pro-British elements during an attack on Connolly House in April 2009. Re-erected by Andersonstown Commemoration Committee”).
Portraits of Seamus Costello (INLA/IRSP founder), Gino Gallagher (INLA chief of staff), Che, Patsy O’Hara, Miriam Daly, James Connolly on the Springfield Road turn-around.
Here is a close-up of the plaque on the James Connolly mural in Rockmount Street, Belfast. “This plaque is dedicate to the memory of James Connolly, trade unionist, socialist and revolutionary who was executed by the British Army on 12th May 1916 in Kilmainham gaol, Dublin. Unveiled by Bridie Croston.” For background on the mural and a picture of it in better condition in 2006 see M03108.
“Remembered with pride and affection our friends and fellow-dockers who were killed at work or suffered pain and premature death from unsafe and unhealthy working conditions in the port of Belfast. ‘On a ship’s dark deck a man is dead/wives, sisters, brothers, parents, shake heads and cry/as they knew not who to blame./An injustice has arrived/pain and anguish begins.’ Memories are everlasting. Ar dheıs Dé go raıbh siad. Erected by the Dockers Club and SHIP [Shared Heritage Interpretive Project] on International Workers Day, April 2007.” The plaque is on an exterior wall of the Dockers Club, adjacent to the mural. Above are portraits of Jim Larkin, James Connolly, Winifred Carney, with the emblem of the IGWU/OBU [One Big Union]. Larkin founded the ITGWU in 1909. It was led by Connolly from 1914 to 1916. Carney, from Bangor, founded the Irish Textile Workers’ Union in Belfast in 1912
“Our rulers will stop at nothing to attain their ends. They will continue to rule and rob until confronted by men who will stop at [nothing to overthrow them].” The quote is from James Connolly on Conscription. Local volunteer Joe McDonnell is portrayed between the names of the ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers.
“I ndıl chuımhne. In proud and loving memory of Óglach Dermot Crowley, Óglach Patrick Carty, Óglach Sean Loughran, Tyrone Brigade Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann who died on active service outside Omagh 25th June 1973. Fuaır sıad bás ar son shaoırse na hÉıreann. ‘If you strike at, or imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst’ – James Connolly.” The three died from a premature bomb explosion. For brief biographies, see An Phoblacht.