Comms

Two of the three comms (“communications”, messages by H-Block prisoners on tobacco paper or toilet paper and smuggled from wing to wing or to the outside) reproduced in this mural describe the decision to undertake the hunger strike (written by Bobby Sands) and the reaction to his death (from Ardoyne man Bik McFarlane to “Brownie” – Gerry Adams). The three describes a beating received by Ardoyne resident and blanket man Brendan McClenaghan.

Ardoyne Avenue, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01794 M01795

Markets Volunteers

The portraits are of Tony Nolan, Joseph Downey, Frank Fitzsimons, Joey Surgenor, Paul Marlowe, Jim Templeton, and Brendan Davison, all of whom were IRA volunteers (Templeton, aged 15, was in the Fianna) and all of whom died in and around the Markets. (Their names would be added to the mural when it was repainted.) This mural replaces Firing Party and is based on the photograph included in Victory IRA.

Friendly Way, Markets, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01770 M01769

Who Is The Real Freedomfighters Now!

Here is a collection of six murals from Ballycolman, Strabane, all seen previously in 1989 and showing their age, and with some RIRA graffiti “Who is the real freedomfighters now! Real IRA” and “Strabane RUC station – 2001 RIRA”.

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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Restore Political Status

“Restore political status – Stand by Maghaberry POWs.” Inside a rectangle of barbed wire is a lark carrying an assault rifle and a watchtower (from Long Kesh) and Faintly seen towards the top is “81 – 02 Óglaıgh na hÉıreann”. Whiterock Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01663

Ballymurphy Cumann Na mBan

Volunteers in Cumann Na mBan (or youth wing Cumann Na gCaılíní) from Ballymurphy and Springhill are remembered in a mural in Ballymurphy Road, Belfast. Anti-clockwise, they are Maura Meehan, Anne Marie Pettigrew, Dorothy Maguire, Eileen Mackin, Catherine (Cathy) McGartland, Anne Parker. All but Mackin are included in the Greater Ballymurphy plaque.

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01660

Who Gave Their Lives For Irish Freedom

“In loving memory of volunters [sic] John Stone, Jason McWilliams, Kevin McCracken, and John Dougal.” The four IRA members are shown in front of the Springhill shops, with a Sınn Féın banner above the windows. With additional portraits of local activists Annie McWilliams, Mary Austin, Kathleen Clarke.

Springhill Drive, Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01658 M01659

Bryson-Mulvenna

“In memory of [IRA] volunteers Jim Bryson and Patrick Mulvenna. Died on active service 1973”. The pair were killed by undercover British Army soldiers firing from above the Ballymurphy shops (Broken Elbow). Mulvenna died immediately (August 30th), Bryson three days later. Another plaque will later be added to the centre of the mural.

Ballymurphy Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01656 M01657