IRA

Liggett & Brady

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IRA volunteer Francis Liggett was shot by the British Army in January 1973 as he attempted to rob the Royal. One of the images of Gerry Adams in paramilitary beret comes from Liggett’s funeral. Paddy Brady was a Sınn Féın activist shot in 1984 at his work by the UFF (Sutton). Both were from the St James’s area of west Belfast. Their portraits are on either side of Éıre personified. They are also included in the ‘Roll of Honour’ in the memorial garden below them. The verses are from Bobby Sands’s poem Weeping Winds.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Neamhcromtha, Neamhbhrıste!

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“Unbowed, unbroken.” Five of the original 18 portraits are missing – see the image from 2006 (as well as the plaque just out of shot to the left.)

This is a version of the earlier Éıre/Ireland mural (depicted as a female in the centre of the mural) seen in 2005.

Mountpottinger Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Understand The Past

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“Understand the past – and build a better future le chéıle Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter.” “The past” in this case is the Battle Of St Matthew’s (“Chath Naomh Máıtıú”), one of the formative events of the Provisional IRA (“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann”) (WP). The “better future” is symbolised by the dove and the absence of a weapon in the arms of the central figures – compare to this Derry mural from 1985. The mural was unveiled as part of the commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of the Battle.

Mountpottinger Road, Short Strand, east Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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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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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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