
Rather than being trapped in barbed wire, this lark carries an armalite rifle across the four provinces of Ireland. (BRY = Ballycolman Republican Youth)
Ballycolman estate, Strabane
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1989 Peter Moloney
M00768

Here is an image of the completed Loch gCál/Loughgall mural (see also the in-progress image from 1987) in memory of the eight IRA volunteers from the East Tyrone brigade who were killed in an SAS ambush during an attack on an RUC base in May, 1987 (WP).
Their names are given here in Irish and (partially) in the old script:
“I ndıl cuimh[n]e de [= ar]
Óglach Pádraıg Ó Ceallaıġ [Patrick Kelly],
Óglach Séamus Ó Donn[ġ]aıle [Seamus Donnelly],
Óglach Deaglán Mac Aırt [Declan Arthurs],
Óglach Séamus Laıghneach [Jim Lynagh],
Óglach Gearóıd Ó Ceallacháın [Gerry O’Callaghan],
Óglach Pádraıg Mac Cearnaıgh [Pádraıg McKearney],
Óglach Antóın Ó Garmaıle [Ó Gormghaıle | Tony Gormley],
Óglach Eoghan Ó Ceallaıġ [Eugene Kelly]
an ochtar óglach de óglaigh na hÉireann a dúnmharú ag Loch gCál ar an ochtú lá Bealtaine 1987.”
[the eight volunteers from the Irish Volunteers [IRA] who were murdered at Loughgall on the eighth day of May, 1987]
The town (Loughgall) and the four provinces are also named in Irish. An Easter lily is at the centre of the Celtic cross in the middle of the image, above a lark in barbed wire and a gal gréıne/sunburst.
Painted by Mo Chara. The bright colours and sweeping clouds/skyline are inspired by the work of Jim Fitzpatrick.
Springhill Avenue, west Belfast.
There is a list of the eight names, also in Irish, in the New Lodge, north Belfast.
Click here for Nuada And Loughgall together.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
M00604


This mural celebrates the IRA (“Óglaigh Na hÉıreann” at the top) from 1919 (the army of the independent Dáıl Éıreann) to the “present” day of 1982. In the centre, a lark flies against a Tricolour, with the word “Saoırse” (“freedom”) beneath.
According to AP/RN of 1982-04-29, the (earlier) paint-bombing visible in the bottom image was the handiwork of “marauding Coldstream Guards”.
Islandbawn Street, west Belfast
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1982 Peter Moloney
M00202 M00203

A lark in barbed wire, a republican symbol of political prisoners from Bobby Sands — the lark has the spirit of freedom and refuses to sing when caged, no matter how bad the treatment meted out. Rossville Street, Derry. For this mural in 1981, see Resistance.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1982 Peter Moloney
M00175

A phoenix rises from a pair of disembodied hands tearing apart an “H” made of brick, illustrating the lines “and then I prayed I yet might see/our fetters rent in twain/and Ireland long a province be/a nation once again”. Also with the lark in barbed wire, four provinces, and names of six hunger strikers: Bobby Sands MP, Francis Hughes, Ray McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson. Falls Road in Andersonstown, Belfast.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1981 LC
M00223

This mural features an unusual representation of Ireland divided into its four provinces. Also seen: Irish Tricolour and Sunburst flags sticking out of the island and the lark in barbed wire. Clonard Street, Belfast
See also: The Lark And The Freedom Fighter
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1981 LC
M00215


The previous street-level graffiti on Westland Street, Derry — for which see 1973’s PIRA Provos — is shown here being repainted with a series of three panels: a tricolour and starry plough, hands in chains, and H-block.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1981 Peter Moloney
M00187 M00186