The Road To Freedom Is Paved With Suffering

“I ndıl chuımhne: fuaır sıad bás ag troıd ar son saoırse agus muıntır na hÉıreann. In proud memory of the volunteers of Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann and dedicated friends of the republican movement from the greater Turf Lodge area who died fighting for the establishment of a socialist republic. … Go ndéanfar cuımhne orthú go deo. ‘Carry on. No matter what odds are against you, no matter what the enemy call you, no matter what torments are inflicted on you, the road to freedom is paved with suffering, hardships and torture, carry on, my gallant comrades, until that certain day’ – Tom Williams. We also remember the civilians who were murdered by British crown forces, loyalist extremists, and enemies of Ireland.”

The main panel, memorial plaque to Willie Rossini of Glasgow, and the dedication plaque – by Lily Fitzsimons, a local activist (dating back to the Relatives Action Committees) and SF councillor, were seen previously in 1999. The other three plaques are new. (“Neamhfholaıgh” seems to be a conjunction of translations of the English words “un” and “cover”; the Irish for the verb “to bare” (or as here,”unveil”) is “nocht”.)

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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The D Company Area

“Those brave and gallant vols of D Company IRA”, “POWs and volunteers”, “deceased POWs”, the D company volunteers who have “died of natural causes”, and the “civilians” who lost their lives. Some of these were seen before, in 2005’s Lower Falls Memorial Garden; the main addition is the large memorial with the illustrations, shown in the final image.

Falls Road, Belfast

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Burns & Moley

Two images from Creggan, Co. Armagh (near Crossmaglen). First, the memorial to “Brendan Burns, Carnally, 1958-1988” and “Brendan Moley, Dorsey, 1958-1998” “who died here on active service on the 29th February 1988 – fuaır sıad bás ar son na saoırse.” (Tribute from RN.) A Celtic warrior with a spear stands in front of a Janus statue. “South Armagh Sınn Féın Cumann.”

Below, “restore political status”. Both are on Donaldson’s Road.

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People Of The Greater Newington Area

“In loving memory of all the innocent people and volunteers in the greater Newington area who have lost their lives in the ongoing struggle for Irish freedom. Rest in peace our dear family, friends & comrades. ‘From death springs life and from graves of great patriots springs a great nation’ – Padraıg Pearse” (from the oration at the funeral of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, 1915).

Ponsonby Avenue, Belfast

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O’Neill-Allsopp Memorial Flute Band

Jim O’Neill was killed in February 1976 during an IRA arson attack on a furniture warehouse on the Antrim Road near the New Lodge – Gerry Fitt’s house next door might have been the ultimate target (Belfast Child); Robert Allsopp appears to have accidentally shot himself in March 1975 (Irish Peace Process). Both were members of Na Fıanna. The flute band (Fb) is named in their memory.

Below the portraits of Jim O’Neill and Robert Allsopp is written “Glaıne ınár cgroí, neart ınár ngéaga, beart de reír [réır] ar [ár] mbrıathar.” [Purity in our hearts, strength in our limbs, action consistent with our words]

Donore Court, Belfast

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You Cannot Extinguish The Irish Passion For Freedom

Above: “Roll of honour – South Armagh Brigade Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. ‘We must take no steps backward, our steps must be onward, for if we don’t, the martyrs that died for you, for me, for this country will haunt us for eternity'” [Maura Drumm, from an anti-internment rally in Dunville Park on 10th August, 1975 (RN)]

Below: “Join Sınn Féın – Bígí lınn”. Raymond McCreesh, one of the dead 1981 hunger strikers, was from the (relatively) nearby Camlough. “‘You cannot extinguish the Irish passion for freedom’ – Pádraıg Pearse”

Newry Road, Crossmaglen

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South Armagh Brigade

“South Armagh Brigade roll of honour Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. This garden of remembrance is dedicated to the volunteers of the Irish Republican Army and to the men and women of South Armagh who played their part in the struggle for Irish freedom with integrity, courage and determination. I measc laochra na hÉıreann go raıbh a n-anam dílıs. ‘There is no height or bloody fight a freeman can’t defy/There is no source or foreign force can break one who knows/That his freewill no one can kill and from that freedom grows.'” The poetry is from Bobby Sands’s poem The Crime Of Castlereagh.

Bog Road, Mullaghbane

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Official Republican Movement

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

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Update: 2014 wide shot

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Colin Area Roll Of Remembrance

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.”

Gardenmore Road, Twinbrook, Dunmurry

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