celtic cross

Oh Lonely Winds

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“I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh a n-aınmeacha … [twelve dead hunger strikers] … ‘Oh lonely winds that walk the night to haunt the sinners oul, pray pity me a wretched lad who never will grow old, pray pity those who lie in pain, the bondsman and the slave, and whisper sweet the breath of God upon my humble grave’ – Bobby Sands [Weeping Winds poem]. Erected by McCreesh–McCabe Cumann on 17th March 2002″

Forkhill Road, Mullaghbane

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
[M08476] M08477

Na hÓglaıgh A Fuaır Bás I nDún Pádraıg

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“I ndıl chuımhne ar na hÓglaıgh a fuaır bás ar son na hÉıreann: an tÓglach Colm Marks, a maríodh san áıt seo [who was killed at this spot] 10-4-1991 agus na hÓglaıgh eıle a fuaır bás ı nDún Pádraıg”. Marks was killed in an alleged shoot-to-kill incident in 1991 (An Phoblacht).

Others killed in Downpatrick include Seamus Blaney, James Carlin, Dickie Curran, Leo Hanlon, Vivienne Fitzsimons, and – a new, historical, addition – Thomas Russell “the man from God knows where” and United Irishman who was hanged and beheaded outside Downpatrick jail in 1803 for his part in the rising.

“The fools, the fools, they have left us our fenian dead and while Ireland holds these graves Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.” [Padraig Pearse’s oration at the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa in 1915]

“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann An Dún Theas” [North Down IRA]

St Patrick’s Avenue, Downpatrick

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Ideals

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A tarp is added to the Ardoyne memorial garden putting the 12 deceased hunger strikers from the modern Troubles alongside those who were executed for their part in the Easter Rising. “The ideals behind the Proclamation, the Easter Rising and the hunger strikes are the ideals which drive Sınn Féın today, social equality, economic and political freedom and the believe [sic] that all the people of the island should benefit from the labour of the island. It is for this reason that this signatories, the hunger strikers and the thousands of others gave their lives.”

For the cross, see 2002.

Berwick Road, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Murdered For Their Faith

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The simple Celtic cross that served as a memorial below the plaque of the to the five killed in a UDA attack on a Sean Graham shop on the Ormeau Road on February 5th, 1992, has been upgraded with a large plaque bearing portraits of the five victims – James Kennedy, Willie McManus, Jack Duffin, Peter Magee, Christy Doherty.

“This memorial serves as a reminder of the suffering that was caused, the collusion that lay behind it and our determination that truth and justice will ultimately prevail.”

“Erected on the 20th anniversary in loving memory of those that were murdered for their faith. 1992-2012”

Hatfield Street, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Political Hostage

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Owen Paterson (with one “t”) is the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who revoked Price’s licence last year after she appeared at an Easter rally but those charges have just been dismissed (BBC). This Marian Price (WP) mural on the Whiterock Road was launched on May 13 to protest her continued incarceration. The stencil is in Beechmount Street.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Peace With Justice

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The ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers were preceded in the 1970s by two prisoners who died in English prisons: Michael Gaughan (d. 1974 WP) and Frank Stagg (1976 WP). The larger of the two quotations here is from Stagg: I want my memorial to be peace with justice. The protesters on the left date back to a 1981 poster which was used on the first mural – for both, see I’ll Wear No Convict’s Uniform. The proclamation and the Tricolour lie on the grass.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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