“In loving memory of Aidan McAnespie, murdered at this spot by crown forces, on 21st February 1988, aged 23 years. RIP”
In November 2022, Grenadier Guardsman David Holden was found guilty of McAnespie’s manslaughter (BBC), having been previously charged with manslaughter at the time of the incident, but not convicted (Lost Lives 2907).
Monaghan Road, Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, near the grounds of Aghaloo O’Neill’s GAC.
This is the fourth iteration of the hunger-strikers board in Rockmore Road, which goes back (at least) to 1995. For two earlier versions, see third | first.
Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg are included alongside the ten deceased men from the 1981 strike.
The Bobby Sands mural in Sevastopol Street has been given a facelift, including the blocking-up of a vent on Sands’s left cheek. Kieran Doherty and Joe McDonnell have been added in place of the 1798 medallions on each side. On the side-wall are Sean McCaughey, ten doves representing the 1981 hunger-strikers, and Long Kesh. Aerosol‘s accordion-player stencil has been also been retained, on the right.
The ‘Slí Na Gaeltachta’ plaque off to the left reads:
Ag sráıd Sevastopol cuımhnıtear ar Bobby Sands ı múrmhaısıú a aithnıtear ar fud an domhaın. Ba scrıbhneoır, file, réabhlóıdí agus díograıseoır Gaeılge é Sands. Fuaır sé bas 5 Bealtaıne 1981 tar éıs 66 lá ar stailc ocraıs. As ucht na dıograıse a thaıspeáın Sands agus a chomhchımí ı leıth fhoglaım na teanga faoı choınníollacha uafásacha Bhlocanna H na Ceıse Fada, spreagadh glúın úr chun dul ı mbun athghabháıl na Gaeılge.
Here at Sevastopol Street Bobby Sands is remembered in a mural which has become world-renowned. Sands, a writer, poet, revolutionary and Gaelic enthusiast, died on May 5th 1981 after 66 days on hunger strike. Sands and his fellow prisoners inspired a new generation to reclaim the Irish language enthusing them by the huge efforts they put into learning Irish in the horrendous conditions on the H Blocks of Long Kesh.
This is a 2015 repainting of a 2001 mural in Glenwood. The ten deceased hunger-strikers of 1981 are listed in the bottom right: Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Tom McElwee, Mickey Devine. In the main panel, a lark in barbed wire flies over the H-blocks of Long Kesh and a funeral volley being fired over a Tricolour-draped coffin.
“In memory of the unforgotten comrades who died on hungerstrike in the H-Blocks for the cause of Irish freedom. Síochá[ı]n Dé orthu. [Our] revenge will be the laughter of our children – Bobby Sands”.
Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg, who died in English prisons in the 1970s, are included below the ten deceased 1981 hunger-strikers.
This banner just off the Shore Road includes two Palestinian flags and an Irish Tricolour, along with a raised first and the lark of freedom, both in green, black, and red.
“Óglach Joe McDonnell died on hunger strike in the H Blocks of Long Kesh July/ 8th/ 1981. ‘You dare to call me a terrorist while you look down your gun.’ [youtube]”
Four deaths have been added to the memorial plaque in St James’s Road, west Belfast, which commemorates locals from the area who died at the hands of the police and army.
The plaque dates back to (at least) 1986, and originally named Rooney (civilian), Liggett (IRA), Waterson, McDonald (civilian), McGrady (civilian), Larmour (civilian), Burns (IRA), and Brady (SF).
To these have been added McAllister (civilian), Devine (civilian), O’Dwyer (civilian), and Burns (IRA).
See also: The area’s main memorial garden also includes O’Callaghan (d. 1977 IRA) and Lenaghan (d. 1991 civilian). Next to it is a mural to Liggett And Brady.
This Conway Street mural, outside the mill and the republican museum, features banners of two Australian republican support-groups, with supporters holding banners reading “Australian Aid for Ireland QLD [Queensland] Branch [Fb] – The Spirit of Freedom” and “The Casement Support Group – Saoirse Melbourne”.
“In memory of our friends and comrades. This Memorial is dedicated to all those Irish Republicans who fought in the Struggle for Irish Freedom, and in the defence of this community in our Time of Need. This Memorial honours their Courage and Dedication to the cause of Irish Freedom. Ar dheıs Dé go raıbh a n-anam.” Hugo Wilkinson, Terry Murphy, Paul Watson, Jim McLaughlin, Richard McIlkenny, Jake McGowan, Patsy Quinn, Liam Mulholland, Francis O’Neill, Sean Delaney, Carmel Cahoon, Christine Beattie, Geraldine Rice, Anthony McIlkenny, Joey Saunders, Danny Mullan, Tony Molloy, Seamus Rice, Eamon McAllister, Gerry McAllister, John Bateson, John Barnes, Jim Floyd. With images of the prisons Armagh, Long Kesh H-Blocks, Magilligan, Long Kesh cages, HMS Maidstone, Portlaoise, Wormwood Scubs, Crumlin Road.
“We would like to thank all our friends from Wexford, Limerick & Fermanagh who kindly donated to this memorial. Go raıbh maıth agaıbh.”