Tricolour

How Is Freedom Measured?

Extramural Activity2 Comments
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The bottom half of this mural in Redcliffe Parade, Belfast, shows UVF volunteers “then and now” (“Ulster 1914” during WWI and in contemporary times). On either side of that are (Protestant) women, on the left exhorting men to fight in WWI and on the right defending the homestead (i.e. the Protestant territories) against the threat of Irish nationalism while the men (and perhaps British support) are absent: “How is freedom measured? By the effort which it costs to retain it” and “Deserted! Well, I can stand alone.”

The upper portion shows a rare (though not unique) version of the red hand of Ulster, giving a “V for victory” salute (and so we can see nails on three digits) and dancing in boots on an Irish Tricolour which lies between an Ulster Banner and a Union flag.

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Copyright © 1989 Alan Gallery, All rights reserved alan@alangallery.com
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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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Bobby Sands – Che Guevara

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Like the “Heroico” image of Che Guevara – see the Visual History page on Jim Fitzpatrick – the smiling Bobby Sands would become the standard one. They differ in that Che is in his uniform (attending a funeral service) while Sands is in civilian clothes, and the attire indicates that Che is a military hero while Sands, who was an IRA volunteer, would become an icon primarily as a hunger-striker. (See the Visual History page on the Sevastopol Street mural of Sands.)

In this mural, which pre-dates the refinement of Sands’s image, the two portraits are combined. Sands is accompanied by flag-bearing Irish volunteers and Che by a Soviet orator (Lenin?) on a tank. perhaps to emphasise the socialist dimension of the republican (and particularly INLA) struggle.

Westland Street, Bogside, Derry

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Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
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