“Praise youth and it will respond – the laughter of our children – the joy of our hearts.” A young Bobby Sands is shown in the front right, part of the Stella Maris soccer squad for 1967; he would later “respond” by becoming an IRA volunteer and hunger striker.
The hunger strikers plaque was previously to the left of the (previous) mural; out of picture is another plaque, to the deceased from the “greater Newington area” – see Out Of The Ashes Of 1798.
This group portrait hangs in the lobby of Cultúrlann Uí Chıanáın in Great James Street, Derry, paying tribute to members of Craobh Cholm Cılle, a local Conradh Na Gaeılge group in the Bogside that began life in Dove House before moving to a succession of houses in Great James Street – and finally the Cultúrlann – as An Gaeláras (Cultúrlann).
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Local IRA volunteers are commemorated in multiple stones in the Twinbrook memorial garden. On the main wall – which is a new addition – are listed Sean Keenan, Michael Ferguson, Lily Campbell, Mary Keenan, Eddie Keenan, Mary McKee, Hugh McKee. On the obelisk on the left (see previously Twinbrook & Poleglass IRA) are Gerard Fennell, John Rooney, Bobby Sands, Frankie Ryan. On the stone to the right – which was previously outside the railings (see M03008) – are the twelve deceased Troubles-era hunger strikers.
“The day will dawn when the people of Ireland will show this desire for freedom. It’s then we will see the rising of the moon. [– Bobby Sands’s prison diary]”
“I have sacrificed for the republic all that man holds dear – my wife, my children, my liberty, my life. – Wolfe Tone”
“The road for suffering is paved with suffering, hardships and torture, carry on my gallant and brave comrades until that certain day. – Tom Williams”
“I too have fought for my freedom not only in captivity but also outside where my country is held captive. I have the spirit of freedom that cannot be quenched. [– Bobby Sands]”
“This monument has been re-dedicated by the people of Twinbrook and Poleglass in honour of those volunteers of Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann who gave their lives for Irish freedom.”
“This monument is dedicated to all those from the South Down locality who lost their lives or played a part in the fight for Irish freedom. Fuaır sıad bas [bás] ar son saoırse na heıreann [hÉıreann]”: [IRA volunteers] Peter McNulty, James Carlin, Martin Curran, Leo O’Hanlon, Vivien Fitzsommons, Alphonsus Cunningham, Pauline Kane, Paul Magorrian, Francis Rice, and Colum Marks, who is also included in a north Down memorial.
With adjacent stencil from anti-Agreement republicans: “Restore political status”
“I ndıl chuımhne ar na hÓglaıgh a fuaır bás ar son na hÉıreann: an tÓglach Colm Marks, a maríodh san áıt seo [who was killed at this spot] 10-4-1991 agus na hÓglaıgh eıle a fuaır bás ı nDún Pádraıg”. Marks was killed in an alleged shoot-to-kill incident in 1991 (An Phoblacht).
Others killed in Downpatrick include Seamus Blaney, James Carlin, Dickie Curran, Leo Hanlon, Vivienne Fitzsimons, and – a new, historical, addition – Thomas Russell “the man from God knows where” and United Irishman who was hanged and beheaded outside Downpatrick jail in 1803 for his part in the rising.
“The fools, the fools, they have left us our fenian dead and while Ireland holds these graves Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.” [Padraig Pearse’s oration at the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa in 1915]
“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann An Dún Theas” [North Down IRA]
“Thug sıad a raıbh acú [sic] ar son saoırse na hEırınn [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.
Black taxis were first brought from England to Belfast in 1970 by locals who wanted to provide an alternative, and locally-based, transport system to augment the Citybuses which were sometimes cancelled and sometimes burned out. The board above commemorates eight drivers who were killed during the troubles: Michael Duggan, Jim Green, Harry Muldoon, Paddy McAllister, Caoımhín Mac Brádaıgh, Thomas Hughes, Hugh Magee, and Paddy Clarke. “Providing Belfast with a public transport system for over 40 years.” “A Dhıa deán [sic] trocaıre [sic] ar a n-anamacha.” “Murdered in the service of their community.”
Staır na Gaeılge in Ard Eoın ‘s Machaıre Bhotháın. [The history of Irish in Ardoyne and Marrowbone]
The three figures at the top are from left to right – Seán Mac Dıarmada (who was from Leitrim but was a boarder for a time in Butler Street), Pól De Léıgh, Seán McCaughey; the mini-bus driver is Brendan Bradley. The green-and-yellow uniforms are from Coláıste Feırste. Signed “M Doc 2011” (Michael Dochartaıgh).
The simple Celtic cross that served as a memorial below the plaque of the to the five killed in a UDA attack on a Sean Graham shop on the Ormeau Road on February 5th, 1992, has been upgraded with a large plaque bearing portraits of the five victims – James Kennedy, Willie McManus, Jack Duffin, Peter Magee, Christy Doherty.
“This memorial serves as a reminder of the suffering that was caused, the collusion that lay behind it and our determination that truth and justice will ultimately prevail.”
“Erected on the 20th anniversary in loving memory of those that were murdered for their faith. 1992-2012”
Peter Moloney Collection 