These are images from 2012 of the ‘My brother is not a criminal’ memorial in Ford’s Cross/Silverbridge, seen previously in 2006.
As the second image shows, earlier hunger strikers are also remembered: Thomas Ashe 1917, Michael Fitzgerald, Joseph Murphy, Terence McSwiney 1920, Joseph Whitty, Denis Barry, Andy Sullivan 1923, Tony Darcy, Sean McNeela 1940, Sean McCaughey 1946, Michael Gaughan 1974, Frank Stagg 1976.
The gallery of twelve hunger strikers in ‘Remember the hunger strikers’ is further up the road, towards Cullyhanna.
The scroll reads “Out of the ashes of 1969” arose the Provisional IRA, but the lineage is a long one and all but one of the organisations, events, and arms depicted here precede 1969: Cumann Na mBan, Na Fıanna Éıreann, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, a Celtic shield and sword, a pike (from the 1798 Rebellion), a Thompson gun, the Tricolour; only the assault rifle is modern and perhaps also is meant to indicate the Provisionals, Belfast Brigade. “Fuaır sıad bás as son saoırse na hÉıreann.”
“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″
“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]
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.”
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”
Youthful impressions of life in Derry: a burning bonfire of bricks?, a Celtic cross, and a Tricolour flying over Free Derry Corner. Art by Caolan, Tonisha, P.M., Amy-Leigh, BAP, Chloe, Liam, E.S., Cian, Conor, Chantelle, and KT in Meenan Square, Derry
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.
“In memory of the innocents cruelly killed and injured in [a UVF car bomb] explosion on 17th March 1976” outside the Hillcrest Bar, Dungannon. Josephy Kelly, Andrew Small, James McCaughey, Patrick Barnard. “Mary Queen of Ireland pray for them.”
Donaghmore Road (and lily in Newell Road) Dungannon
