Beıdh An Bua Agaınn Go Fóıll

“Tógadh an leacht cuımhneacháın seo ag muıntır an cheantar ı gcuımhne an Óglaıgh [Óglach] Réamonn Mac Raoıs a fuaır bás ar an 21 Bealtaıne 1981 ı ndıaıdh lá agus seasca ar staılc ocraıs sna H-Blocanna. Rugadh Réamonn ar an 15 Feabhra 1957 ag Páırc Naomh Maolmhaodhóg. … Seasann an deıch gcrann atá curtha taobh thıar den leacht chuımhneacháın do na fıréın [fíréın].”

“This monument was erected by the people of the area in memory of IRA Volunteer Raymond McCreesh who died on May 21st 1981 after 61 days on hunger strike in the British H-Block prison at Long Kesh. Raymond McCreesh was born on February 25th 1957 at St Malachy’s Park, Camloch. … The ten trees planted behind the monument represent the ten men who died in the H-Blocks in 1981.”

There is a mural to McCreesh on the gable of Teach Réamoınn Mhıc Raoıs – see Keep On Marching.

Newry Rd, Camlough

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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The Spirit Of Freedom

There are a couple of interesting elements in this 30th anniversary hunger strikers mural in the Bogside. The frame is formed by chains (as seen previously on the Bobby Sands mural in Belfast) rather than knot-work, the names of Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan are mixed into the list (rather than appearing together at the beginning or end), both the lark and the dove are included, and – most unusual and possibly unique – is the Irish translation of Bobby Sands’s saying “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children”: Baınfear ár ndíoltas amach leıs an gháıre dár bpáıstí. (And, as a super-extra bonus, the Irish has been – correctly – painted without tittles.)

“Derry remembers 1980-1981 hunger strikes. Re-dedication of mural 20th August 2011 on the 30th anniversary of Óglach Mickey Devine.”

Westland Street, Bogside, Derry

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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National Hunger Strike Commemoration

Scenes from the march in the 2010 National Hunger Strike Commemoration, August 15th, 2010, in Beatrice Villas, Ballynease Road, and William Street, Bellaghy.

For additional instance of the first image, see Remember The Hunger Strikers. For another instance of the final image, see I’ll Wear No Convict’s Uniform.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Micky Devine

“This memorial is dedicated to the memory of Volunteer Micky Devine, Irish National Liberation Army and H-Block martyr who gave his life on 20th August 1981. Also dedicated to his nine brave comrades. ‘Our freedom must be had at all hazards. If the men of property will not help us they must fall; we will free ourselves by the aid of that large and respectable class of the community – the men of no property’ – Theobold Wolfe Tone”

Brandywell Avenue, Derry

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Beechmount Óglaıgh

The memorial garden in Beechmount Avenue, Belfast, goes beyond commemoration of IRA volunteers. Moving clockwise: dying volunteer, “local men and women and POWs”, hunger strikers, comhaltaí Shınn Féın, proclamation, na hÓglaıgh, “innocent people from the area”, “the unsung heroes off [sic] this area”, Sands quote.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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