“IRA” on an electrical box in Trea Gardens, Toome.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05248
IRA
IRA
You Lost Your Lives But Will Never Die
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
M05188
Jim McKernan
“I ndıl cuimhne [chuimhne] Óglach Jim McKernan executed by the British Army near this spot 14th September 1986. Fuaır sé bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. [He died for the cause of Ireland’s freedom]” McKernan was killed in a gun battle between an IRA unit and a British Army foot patrol. Andersonstown Road at Ballyowen.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05160
They Were Faithful And They Fought
The main plaque (shown first above) is new; like its predecessor (see M02186) list of the local dead of the IRA 1st battalion, Belfast brigade and related members of the republican movement. (A shorter list is on the plaque to the left, shown second.) There is also a 200th anniversary plaque for the 1798 rebellion: “1798-1998 Who Fears To Speak Of 98. This plaque was erected to the memory of the United Irishmen who gave their lives for Irish freedom also those who died as a result of the Great Hunger. ‘These are the times that try mens’ souls.’ [- Thomas Paine] The rich always betray the poor.’ – Henry Joy McCracken.” The memorial garden is next to the Andersonstown Social Club (a.k.a. the PD or “People’s Democracy”).
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05152 [M05153] [M05156] M05157 M05154 [M05155]
2010 [M05793] [M05792] [M05791]
Óglach Caoımhín Mac Brádaıgh
Óglach Caoımhín Mac Brádaıgh was killed by the UDA’s Michael Stone during the latter’s attack on mourners in Milltown cemetery at the funerals of the Gibraltar 3 in March 1988. The board was originally on the main Andersonstown Road (see M04031).
South Link, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05147 [M05151]
Léana An Dúın – Unbowed, Unbroken
Cú Chulaınn stands dying, an inspiration to republicans fighting against the British (rather than Queen Medb), including those Lenadoon locals whose portraits adorn the apex: Tony Henderson, John Finucane, Tony Jordan, Brendan O’Callaghan, Joe McDonnell, Laura Crawford, Maıréad Farrell, Patricia Black, Bridie Quinn (Bridie O’Neill in the previous version of this mural).
Repainted, with a plaque on the right that reads, “This mural, dedicated to the patriot dead of Lenadoon, was unveiled by Gerard O’Neill, Easter 2009.”
See also the Cú Chulaınn Visual History page.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05134 [M05132] [M05133]
Léana An Dúın
Local female IRA volunteers Laura Crawford, Patricia Black, Bridie Quinn, Maıréad Farrell and a generic female volunteer with assault rifle on manoeuvres in an Irish landscape strewn with standing stones. “Lenadoon Youth 2000”
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05129 [M05123] [M05124] [M05125] [M05126] [M05127] [M05128]
Saor Uladh
“Saor Uladh” [Free Ulster] below the plaque to the IRA’s Finbarr McKenna in Crocus Street, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
[M04822] M04823
Those From The Markets
The left had plaque in the Markets memorial garden (seen in full in 2006) is damaged.
Lower Stanfield Street, Markets, south Belfast
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M04810
Those From the Ligoniel Area
The large stone in the corner is to Declan McCluskey but does not give a date or manner of death. It is perhaps the Declan McCluskey who died by suicide in 2005 (BBC-NI); his father Francie is included on the central plaque – he was killed by the UFF in 1982.
“This memorial is dedicated to the memory of all those form the Ligoniel area who lost their lives as a result of the conflict in our country. Mary, queen of the Gael, pray for them”; “This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Óglach Declan McCluskey, Óglaıgh na hÉıreann. ‘I love my God overall,’ he said, ‘And then I loved my land. Oh mother dear I was true, to God, to Ireland and to you.'”
The two central plaques read, “I ndıl chuımhne. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of all those from Ligoniel who lost their lives as a result of the conflict in our country. A Mhuıre banríon na nGael guıgh orthu.” and “In loving memory of Terry McCafferty, Michelle Osborne, Vol. Jackie Mooney, Danny O’Neill, Jim Sullivan, Alac Greer, Mary Sloan, Rosemary Brown, Mrs Sloan, Letta Younger, William Younger, Francie McCluskey, John O’Neill, Colm McCallum, Brian McKimm, Leo Scullion, Sammy Bell, Kevin Flood, Brian Duffy, John Todd, Maurice O’Kane. May they rest in peace.”
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
[M04793] [M04794] M04795 M04796 M04797
