IRA

The Republican People Of Greater Ballymurphy

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“This monument was erected by the republican people of greater Ballymurphy in proud and loving memory of all those volunteers from the area who gave their lives in the fight for Irish freedom.” Volunteers McParland, Kane, Maguire, Meehan, Sloan, McCormick, Campbell, Magee, Dougal, McCrudden, Clarke, Parker, Quigleey, Mulholland, O’Rawe, McGartland, Mulvenna, Pettigrew, Bryson, Teer, Stone, McGrillen, Tolan, McWilliams, Delaney, O’Neill, Jordan, Doyle, McCracken, McGeown. “Unveiled by Gerry Adams 12th May 1985. I ndıl cuımhne [chuımhne] i gcónaí ag na poblachtánaıgh ón cheantar Barr Cluanaí. Also in memory of the civilians who died at the hands of the British Army, RUC, UDR, and loyalist extremists.” The launch date of 1985 refers to the plaque’s former location in Glenalina Road (seen in 2001 and 2002).

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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2012 [M08866] [M08867] M08868

The Foundation Of The Republic Will Be Their Legacy

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“This dolmen was erected in memory of the fallen volunteers of the 1st Battalion Derry Brigade Óglaigh na hÉıreann. The dolmen was first erected in Ireland about 3000 BC. It is believed that they were erected to honour an esteemed chieftain or warrior. Tógadh an leacht cuımhneacháın ın ónóır agus ı gcuımhne ar Chéad Chathlán Bhrıogáıd Dhoıre Óglaıgh na hÉıreann. Tugtar ómós do mhısneach agus d’ıobaırt na nóglach a thug a raıbh acu ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. [Homage is paid to the courage and sacrifice of the volunteers who gave all they had for Irish freedom.] Ní dhéan[m]ar dearmad ar a gcrógacht agus ar a n’íobaırt agus beıdh bunú na poblachta a n-o[ı]dhreacht. [We will not forget their bravery and sacrifice and the foundation of the republic will be their legacy.]

The ogham stone, part of the memorial garden to the Derry Brigade, has a plaque added to it.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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The War Isn’t Over

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These graffiti and small boards are on the fence around Dove Gardens as it is rebuilt. “God bless the Loughgall martyrs” and “Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann” and “IRA rule” aim to establish the CIRA and RIRA as simply the IRA. For “Free Colin Duffy” see Freedom Is A State Of Mind.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Keenan & McGillan

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“In proud and loving memory of Vol. Colm Keenan and Vol. Eugene McGillan killed on active service 14th March 1972. Beırıgí bua.” Six weeks after Bloody Sunday, teenagers Keenan and McGillan were shot and killed during a gun battle between the IRA and British Army in which, it is claimed, they were not participants (RN/AP).

Dove Gardens, Derry, site of their deaths.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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The Lurgan Ambush

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“Fuaır sıad bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. Óglach Sean Burns, Óglach Gervase McKerr, Óglach Eugene Toman. “But they dared to hold their heads up high and never once did fail to declare their wish for freedom like true sons of the Gael” – The Lurgan Ambush (A poem by Ita Green)”. The IRA volunteers were three of the six people shot in Lurgan in three incidents in November and December of 1982: Seamus Grew, Roddy Carroll, Michael Tighe. The deaths of the six would be investigated by the Stalker Inquiry into the shoot-to-kill policy.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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As Though You Had Died

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“‘It is as though you were absent and you hear me from far away and my voice does not reach you. It is as though you were absent, distant and full of sorrow, as though you had died.’ Eugene Toman, Gerva[i]se McKerr, Sean Burns 1982-2007”. The lines are from Pablo Neruda’s poem ‘I Like For You To Be Still‘. The trio of IRA volunteers were shot and killed on 11 November, 1982, by an undercover unit of the RUC in an alleged shoot-to-kill incident.

Taghnevan Drive, Lurgan

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Bayardo

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“At this spot, on 13th August, 1975, five Protestants were killed and up to sixty injured during a Republican bomb and gun attack, led by ex-trainee priest and IRA leader, Brendan ‘Bic’ McFarlane, a close associate of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, achieved, in part, exactly what they set out to do – to murder and maim members of our community in cold blood. … although their mission was completed, their callous agenda failed … the people of West Belfast … emerged stronger and even more resolute, to defeat the pure evil that is Irish Republicanism, once and for all! … the Irish Republican Army … were a homicidal, guerrilla grouping! A criminal organisation devoid of conscience! … a sectarian murder gang. … ” Hugh Alexander Harris, Samuel Gunning, William John Gracey, Joanne McDowell, Linda Boyle. “Erected by the Bayardo Somme Association “A forgotten atrocity”” The attack was in retaliation for the Miami Showband killings and the bar was chosen because it was used by the UVF. Harris was in the UVF and Brigade Staff had been at a meeting in the bar but it had already broken up (WP).

Aberdeen Street, Belfast, on the former site of the Bayardo Bar.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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2011 [M06473]

You Lost Your Lives But Will Never Die

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The river Mourne flows through Strabane town, home to 20 IRA volunteers and Sinn Féin activists who died during the Troubles: Fian Tobias Molloy, Vol. Eugene Devlin, Vol. Seamus Harvey, Vol. Gerard McGlynn, Vol. Jim McGinn, Vol. Neil Lafferty, Vol. Patrick Cannon, Vol. Peter McElchar, Hugh Devine, Vol. Michael Devine, Vol. David Devine, Vol. Charles Breslin, Vol. Josie Connolly, Vol. Danny McCauley, Patrick Shanaghan, Vol Damian Brolloy, Jim McAleer, Ivan Barr, Charlie McHugh.

“You’ve come to know the winds that blow, the glory that surrounds you. You hills that flow from Knockavoe, to wrap their warmth around you; on Irish streets in August heat, thro’ dusky dark December, you lost your lives but will never die, as long as we remember.” The author of the poem is unknown.

Fountain Street, Strabane

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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