Starry Plough – Page 2 – peter moloney collection

The War Of Liberation

2012-08-012023-01-09Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“If you remove the English army tomorrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organization of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain. England would still rule you. She would rule you through her capitalists, through her landlords, through her financiers, through the whole array of commercial and individualist institutions she has planted in this country and watered with the tears of our mothers and the blood of our martyrs. – James Connolly” in the 1897 piece “Socialism And Nationalism“. Connolly’s thought is that – even in a self-governing republic – nationalism is not enough to establish an authentically Irish state; socialism is also required.

“This plaque is dedicated to the men and women of the socialist republican movement, many of whom lost their lives and many more their freedom whilst incarcerated during the war of liberation. Their sacrifices and selflessness will forever be remembered. Erected by Newry Socialist Republicans.”

Camlough Road, Newry.

M08517 [M08581] [M08519]

Official Republican Movement

2012-07-252022-12-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

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 McMillen and Connolly boards replace earlier versions – see On The Brink Of Sectarian Disaster. The Official Republican Movement board was previously around the corner, on the Falls Road.

Above the mural to James Connolly and Nora Connolly.

Clondara Street, Belfast

M08473 M08474 M08471 M08472

No Right In Ireland

2012-07-252022-12-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“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.”

The mural was launched on May 3rd.

Clondara Street, Belfast

M08463 [M08463a] [M08464] [M08465] [M08466] [M08467] [M08468] [M08469] [M08470]

Thug Siad A Raibh Acu

2012-07-162022-11-12Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Thug siad a raibh acú [sic] ar son saoirse na hEirinn [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.

Emania Terrace, Armagh, above a plaque to Hughes and next to a memorial stone to McGerrigan and Hughes.

M08369

Martin “Rook” O’Prey

2012-05-212022-09-14Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Martin “Rook” O’Prey was the Belfast brigade commander of the IPLO [Irish People’s Liberation Organisation], a breakaway INLA group responsible for killing George Seawright and attacking the Orange Cross social club (WP).

All sources say that he was shot by the UVF in his Ardmoulin Terrace home; the plaque is above a doorway in Lesson Street (where his coffin was given a (momentary) honour guard – youtube).

M07985 M08196

Bryson-Mulvenna

2011-08-122022-04-19Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A second plaque has been added to the mural of Patrick Mulvenna and Jim Bryson and the mural itself has been refreshed: the lark in the apex has been replaced by funeral trappings and the knot-work frame has been painted over.

“In proud and loving memory of Óglach Patrick Mulvenna, shot dead by British crown forces near this spot while an active service, 31st August 1973, and of his comrade Óglach Jim Bryson, also shot and died of his wounds, 22nd September 1973. Belfast Brigade Óglaigh na hÉireann. I measc laoachra na nGael go raibh siad.”

Ballymurphy Road, Belfast

For the other, original, plaque and the original mural, see Bryson-Mulvenna.

M07255a

[M07254] [M07255] [M07256] M07257 [M07258] [M07259]

The Very System That Drove Us To Our Deaths

2011-06-232021-12-26Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Years from now they will ask you where you were when your comrades were dying on hunger strike. Shall you say that you were with us, or shall you say that you were conforming to very system that drove us to our deaths.” The mural is to Mickey Devine, with a smaller (and much older) plaque to Patsy O’Hara (the plaque was previously information about Devine). Both were INLA volunteers and both died in the 1981 hunger strike, along with Kevin Lynch; Liam McCloskey was taken off the strike by his family after 55 days.

Chemical Street, Belfast.

M06872 M06871

Strabane INLA Memorial

2010-08-182021-01-12Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Arm Saoirse Náisiúnta na h-Éireann. [INLA] Vol. James McPhilemy, killed in action 10 August 1988; [INLA] Vol. Alex Patterson killed in action 12 November 1990. ‘Your spirit will live on in the hearts of all who cherish freedom, justice and equality. Fuair siad bás ar son saoirse na h-Éireann.”

Gallany Court, Strabane

M06212 [M06211] [M06210] [M06209]

Joseph Craven

2010-08-182021-01-11Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“In proud memory of our fallen comrade Joseph Craven, Irish National Liberation Army, murdered by Loyalists 5th December 1983. He died as he lived – a true revolutionary. Erected by the Irish Republican Socialist Ex-Prisoners Memorial Committee.” Craven was shot by the UVF from a motorcycle.

Bawnmore Park, Newtownabbey

M06149

Ferguson & O’Neill

2010-08-182020-12-19Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“In proud memory of our fallen comrades Irish National Liberation Army Vol. Hugh Ferguson assassinated [by the OIRA] 20th February 1975, Comrade Hugh O’Neill accidental death 10th July 1981. The struggle for any dream lies in the freedom of their country. Erected by the Irish Republican Socialist Ex-Prisoners Memorial Committee.” Whiterock Parade, Belfast.

M06138

	Neither King Nor Nat… on The Runner
	Beirigí Bua –… on The Undauntable Thought
	John “Grugg… on John “Grugg” Gregg
	Draíocht An tSléibhe… on Save The Black Mountain
	Pass Not This Spot I… on All Gave Some, Some Gave …