IRA volunteer Kieran (here Cıarán) Nugent spent nine months in Long Kesh as a Special Category prisoner in 1975. When he was arrested again in 1976 and sent to the H Blocks, the status no longer existed and he could no longer wear his own clothes. He refused to wear a prison uniform and spent his first night naked. On the next day he was given a blanket and so became the first blanket man.
Rockville Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02550 [M02551]
This is a Whiterock Road, Belfast, mural to three IRA volunteers and six other local activists. Clockwise from bottom left: Annie Adams, Rosaleen Russell, Liam Mulholland, Billy Carson (also shown kneeling; killed by the UDA in 1979), Liam McParland (also standing, right; leader of the (pre-split) IRA in Ballymurphy, died in a car crash on 6 November 1969), Sean Doyle (also standing, left; perhaps from 1944 despite the assault rifle), Frankie Toner, Kathleen Moore, Gerry Campbell. There are Christmas lights in the centre of the wall.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02547
“Dedicated to Vols Bobby McCrudden, Mundo O’Rawe, Pearse Jordan. In passing this mural pause a little while, pray for us and erin, then smile.” Ballymurphy mural to three local PIRA volunteers. O’Rawe’s pose (in the centre) perhaps owes something to the poster for the 1996 film Michael Collins. The plaque reads “I ndíl [sic] chuímhne [sic] Oglach [sic] Edward ‘Mundo’ O’Rawe, Oglach [sic] Robert McCrudden, Oglach [sic] Pearse Jordan Who gave their lives for Ireland’s freedom.”
Divismore Crescent, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02546
Moyard Parade, Belfast is renamed Bóthar Mháırtín Hurson/Martin Hurson Road in honour of the deceased 1981 hunger striker, who died after 46 days due to being unable to retain water. His street-sign is given an óglaıgh na hÉıreann border.
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02544
IRA mural in Moyard Parade, Belfast, finding inspiration in the 1916 Easter Rising (indicated by the Easter lilies on either side).
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02543
“In memory of the volunteers from Greater New Barnsley area who gave their lives in the fight for Irish freedom: Martin Forsythe, Bobby McCrudden, Eddie O’Rawe, Martin Skillen, Gerard Fennell, Sean McDermott, Terence O’Neill, James Murphy, Tom Magill, Sean Savage, Kevin McCracken, Pearse Jordan, Liam Mulholland, Fıan Cathy McGartland, Fıan John Dempsey, Sınn Féın Paul Best, Sınn Féın Eddie Brophy.”
Moyard Parade, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02542
“This mural is dedicated to the memory of those local republican activists [34 portraits of volunteers from “A, D, F foıreannacha, cathlann 3rú, Brıogáıd mBéal Feırste”] who devoted their lives to the cause of Irish freedom. Ar son na c[ú]ıse. Óglaıgh na hÉıreann. Unveiled by Sınn Féın councillors Martin Meehan and Margaret McClenaghan.”
“Many suffer so that some day future generations may live in justice and peace – Bobby Sands MP.”
The plaque on the stone is “Dedicated to those friends and neighbours from Ardoyne, the Bone and Ligoniel whose contribution and support to our struggle was and remains invaluable. Aıthníonn muıd a gcrógacht. Óglaıgh na hÉıreann. Meán Fómhaır 2003.”
Ardoyne Avenue, north Belfast
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02418 M02419 M02420 [M03100]
Volunteers from the IRA’s 3rd battalion, Belfast Brigade, Billy Reid, Sean McIlvenna, Rosemary Bleakley, and Michael Kane are shown walking down New Lodge Road. Gibraltar victim Dan McCann is included in the 16 faces in the apex. The main image is on boards while the knotwork and dedication are on brick. “I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh a nanamacha.”
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Copyright © 2005 Peter Moloney
M02409 [M04401] [M04402] M04403 [M04404]
Robert Emmet was hanged on September 20th, 1803, after his unsuccessful rebellion. At trial, he predicted that the struggle for Irish independence would continue, in his parting speech: “When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then and not till then, let my epitaph be written.” There is no direct link between the Irishmen and an army of the Irish Republic – after the execution of Emmet and Thomas Russell, the Society Of United Irishmen collapsed. The Maid Of Erin harp is the symbol of the Society.
Bingnian Road, Andersonstown, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
M02247 M02246 M02248
These images are of the IRA memorial stone in Bingnian Drive, Belfast, honouring members of the B Company, 1st Battalion, Belfast Brigade and local Andersonstown residents. The stone bears an Easter lily, including a leaf of the plant.
“Togadh an leach chuımhneacháın seo ı ndíl [ndıl] chuımhne na nÓglach de chuıd complacht B an chéad chathlann Brıogáıd Bhéal Feırste, Óglaıgh na hÉıreann. Moltoır, comh maıth, a gcuıd comradaıthe a sheas agust a throıd lena daıobh. Bíodh cuımhneadh, fosta, ar na daoıne ón cheantaır a chınmharaıodh ag arm na Breataıne agus a comhglacaıthe.”
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Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
M02252 M022151 [M04504] M02250 M02249 M02253
Peter Moloney Collection 