Tricolour

Who Is The Real Freedomfighters Now!

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Here is a collection of six murals from Ballycolman, Strabane, all seen previously in 1989 and showing their age, and with some RIRA graffiti “Who is the real freedomfighters now! Real IRA” and “Strabane RUC station – 2001 RIRA”.

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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St James’s Supports The Hunger Strikers

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St James’s supports the hunger strikes – in Long Kesh and Armagh and (on the right) in Turkey.

Various images and posters from 1980 and 1981 are reproduced. Along the top, we see (l-r) a soldier is confronted at the top of Springhill (image at Irish Times), “Wanted for murder [and torture of Irish prisoners]” (image at MSU), “Mothers hunger”, “Blessed are those who hunger for justice“, “Where there is oppression there is resistance”, Armagh hunger-striker Mary Doyle.

Along the bottom: “Stop strip searches“, “Save our children from plastic death”, “Support the hunger strike demands”, and portraits of 1981 hunger-strikers Bernard Fox and Pat Sheehan, both from the Falls Road.

For Turkish hunger-strikers, see F-Block Martyrs | Zehra Kulaksiz | Support The Turkish Hunger Strikers.

On the side-wall to the left, son Joseph McDonnell weeps at the foot of the coffin of his father, Joe.

For in-progress images, see the 2001 post.

Hugo Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2002/2003 Peter Moloney
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The Names, The Stories, The Tales, The Sacrifices

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“When the story of the Belfast Brigade of the IRA is told, when the war is over, is ended, among that story the names, the stories, the tales, the sacrifices, the actions of the volunteers from the Greater Ballymurphy area will be written large.” “This monument was erected by the republican people of Greater Ballymurphy in proud and loving memory of all those volunteers from the area who their lives in the fight for Irish freedom.” “Unveiled by Gerry Adams 12th May 1985.” “I ndıl cuımhne [chuimhne] ı gcónaı ag na poblachtánaıgh ón cheantar Barr Cluanaı.” “Also in memory of the civilians who died at the hands of the British Army, RUC, UDR and loyalist extremists.” The plaque was featured previously but the surrounding mural, with phoenix and volunteers with lowered rifles, is new. Ballymurphy Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2002, 2004 Peter Moloney
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Pat ‘Beag’ McGeown

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“Comrade, councillor, cara [friend].” Pat McGeown was a 1981 IRA hunger striker whose family intervened when he lapsed into a coma. After his release in 1985 he also worked for Sınn Féın and was elected to Belfast City Council in 1993. He died in 1996 of a heart attack. He is also remembered by a plaque on the Sınn Féın office on Falls Road.

Ballymurphy Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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The Celtic Football Club

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Scottish club Celtic, which nationalists in Northern Ireland support, had a successful 2000-2001 season, winning the Scottish Cup, League Cup, and league, under the direction of new manager Martin O’Neill, who hails from Kilrea, Co. London-/Derry. The emblems of the four provinces have been added to the leaves of the Celtic emblem. “Dedicated to the youth of Twinbrook.”

Gardenmore Road, Dunmurry/Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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