“To protect partition! And to serve capitalism!” The Royal Ulster Constabulary, Police Service of ‘Northern Ireland’, and An Garda Síochána are branded as agents of the status quo, enforcing the partition of Ireland and the capitalist system. “Know your enemy – reject political policing”.
The ‘Relief Of Derry‘ bonfire stands ready for burning, flying Irish Tricolour and Starry Plough flags, and decked with an IRSP hunger strike board – perhaps stolen from Rossville Street.
These images are from the front yard of Costello House, the Falls Road home of the IRSP. Top, “Belfast RSYM [Republican Socialist Youth Movement] – join the movement”. Immediately above, “In memory of the Irishmen who fought against fascism with the XV International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939. No pasaran. ‘Through the mists of time they will never be forgotten.’ Erected by the Irish Republish Socialist Movement.”
First (left): the Derry branch of the 1916 Societies (Fb) is named after Sean Dolan, an IRA volunteer interned at the outbreak of WWII on the prison ship Al Rawdah (WP | saoırse32) before being moved to Crumlin Road gaol. He was released on grounds of ill health shortly before dying in 1941 at age 28 in Derry. The title of today’s post comes from Dolan’s gravestone, which is in Ardmore (findagrave).
It was the 1916 Societies that hoisted an Irish tricolour from the roof of Stormont in June 2015 (BBC).
Second (right): two hunger-strikers from Derry, Patsy O’Hara and Michael Devine, were both members of the INLA; the third INLA hunger-striker was Kevin Lynch, from nearby Dungiven. The seven others who died were members of the IRA, whose political wing was Sınn Féın, while the IRSP (web), who sponsored this board, serve as the political face of the INLA.
INLA hunger-striker Kevin Lynch has been returned (see 2006) to the gable wall he previously adorned after making way for Marian Price, Political Hostage from 2012 to 2014.
“In memory of our fallen comrades of the INLA. Paul McCann, Matt McLarnon, Danny Loughran, Gino Gallagher.” Divis flats, St. Peters, and the plough in the stars, form the background. Information about the deaths of each of the four can be found via this IRSP page.
“This mural was erected by Teach Na Fáılte, Republican Socialist Ex-Prisoners Support Group. 2014. ‘I owe my allegiance to the working class.’ Seamus Costello 1939-1977”
“After we are gone what will you say you were doing? Will you say you were with us in our struggle, or were you with the very system that drove us to our deaths?”
“In proud memory of the ten H-Block martyrs who died on hunger strike in Long Kesh during the struggle for political status.”
Patsy O’Hara of the INLA (the IRSP is its political wing) died on hunger strike on May 21st, 1981.
This IRSP (web) board in Rossville Street, Derry, includes colour photographs of local INLA volunteers Patsy O’Hara and Michael Devine, along with a gallery of all ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers.
The same board was also mounted in William Street.
Competing Sinn Féin and IRSP Easter commemorations on the site of the former RUC barracks, and from éirígí in Beechmount Avenue, for Easter Monday.
“Belfast Easter Commemoration, Sunday 31st March. Assemble Beechmount Ave 1pm, parade leaves 1.30pm sharp. Speaker: Mary Lou McDonald, Vice President Sinn Féin/TD. Honour Ireland’s patriot dead – wear an Easter lily. Cumann Uaigheann na Laochra Gael – National Graves Association.”