The Supreme Sacrifice

These are close-ups of the IRA memorial in Derry’s City Cemetery (“Erected Easter 1975”, with the roll of honour extended around the base and then onto additional stones, and a plaque added in 1991 on the 75th anniversary of the second hunger strike and seen first in 1994). “Arna tógáıl An Cháısc 1975, ag Brıogáıd Dhoıre, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann ın ómós agus ı gcuımhne ár gcomrádaıthe a rınne a ardíobaırt go saortar ár dtír dhúchaıs.”

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Let Us Swear By Joe’s Martyred Blood

“This plaque commemorates IRA vol. Joe McDonnell who lived in this house prior to his capture on 14th Oct 1976. Joe later died at 5.11 am on 8th July 1981 after 61 days on hunger strike in the h blocks Long Kesh. ‘Let us swear by Joe’s martyred blood never to waver of fail til the true united Irish socialist republic stands forth before the nations, a testimony to the worthiness of our case.’ Óglach calma dobhrıste. [A strong, unbreakable volunteer]”

Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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An Staılc Ocraıs

For the 25th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike [staılc ocraıs], a prisoner reaches for a lark (the spirit of freedom) bathed in sunbeams like a beatific vision. “Go dtreoraí cuımhne bhur níobaırtí agus íobaırtí denár dtírghráthóırí náısıún beo bocht chun bua.” [“May the memory of your sacrifices and the sacrifices of our patriots guide a desperate nation to victory.”] The sentence is attributed to Bobby Sands but the source is unknown – please get in touch if you can place it.

Andersonstown Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Kieran Doherty

“I gcuımhne ar Vol. Kieran Doherty TD, [IRA] Brıogáıd Bhéal Feırste, of 54 Commedagh Drive, rugadh 16ú Deıreadh Fómhaır 1955, elected TD for Cavan/Monaghan 18th June 1981, a fuaır bás 2ú Lúnasa 1981, after 73 days on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. ‘It is not those who can inflict the most, but those who can endure the most, who will conquer in the end.’ [paraphrase of Terence MacSwiney]” The memorial stone is in Commedagh Drive, Belfast, just west of Doherty’s home, where there is a plaque to mark his residence “Vol Kieran Doherty T.D. lived here 16-10-1955 – 2-8-1981 Fuaır sé bás as son saoırse na hÉıreann”.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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The Patriot Keeps Marching On

“In proud and loving memory of Tyrone’s republican dead. “A Patriot: The glamour of the battle calls to boyhood/The martial music trills the youthful heart/And lads go out and give their all for freedom/content to know that they have done their part//But when the first proud wave of glory passes/And nought is left but duty stark and clear/When no pipes skirl and drums have ceased their beating/And the way to freedom stretches dark and drear//’Ttis then we know the Patriot from the Soldier/The Patriot keeps marching, marching on” – Henry O’Kane [?Colonel Henry O’Kane, interpreter for the French Army in 1798?] Suaımhneas dá n-anamacha ar dheıs laımh Dé ıns na flaıthıs. | Gó ndéana Muıre, banríon na nGael, ıdırghuí ar a son. Erected by Tyrone National Graves Association.”

Mullanmore Road, Carrickmore

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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