They Were Faithful And They Fought

The main plaque (shown first above) is new; like its predecessor (see M02186)  list of the local dead of the IRA 1st battalion, Belfast brigade and related members of the republican movement. (A shorter list is on the plaque to the left, shown second.) There is also a 200th anniversary plaque for the 1798 rebellion: “1798-1998 Who Fears To Speak Of 98. This plaque was erected to the memory of the United Irishmen who gave their lives for Irish freedom also those who died as a result of the Great Hunger. ‘These are the times that try mens’ souls.’ [- Thomas Paine] The rich always betray the poor.’ – Henry Joy McCracken.” The memorial garden is next to the Andersonstown Social Club (a.k.a. the PD or “People’s Democracy”).

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Deceased Members From St Matthew’s Parish

“This memorial cross is dedicated to the memory of all the deceased members from St Matthew’s Parish especially those who died as a result of the conflict in our country. Always remembered with love and respect by their families, friends and parishioners. Mary, queen of peace, pray for us. Dóıbh sıad uılıg as Paraıste Mhaıtıú Naofa atá anoıs ar shlí na fırınne go mórmhór dóıbh sıad a d’éag da bharr na comhlınte in ár dtír, a thıomnaıntear an chros seo. Beıdh dılchuımhne ag a muıntır féın, ag a gcaırde agus ag a gcomhrarsana orthu go brách agus is le grá agus meas a chuımhneofar orthu. A Mhuıre, banríon na Síochána, guıgh oraınn. May they all rest in peace. Suımhneas síoraí othru uılıg.”

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Strabane’s Republican Graves

Gravestones to brothers Michael, David, and Hugh Devine, to Charles Breslin, who died alongside Michael and David, to “all those who gave their lives” – “Go luí cré ársa Thír Eoghaın go héadrom ar uıgheanna ár laochraı uaısle” [May the ancient Tyrone clay lie lightly on the graves of our noble warriors]; this headstone is featured in a Fountain Street mural – and Danny McCauley – “Where there is a struggle for justice, the desire for freedom and resistance to exploitation, there will always be a Danny McCauley.”

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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For Irish Freedom In The West Tyrone Area

“In proud and loving memory of all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom in the West Tyrone area”. “Go luí cré ársa Thír Eoghaın go héadrom ar uıgheanna ár laochraí uaısle.” [May the ancient Tyrone clay lie lightly on the graves of our noble warriors.] Michael Devine, Eugene Devlin, Gerald McGlynn, Danny McCauley, Jim McGinn, Peter McElchar, Jim McAleer, Seamus Harvey, Charles Breslin, Tobias Molloy, Neil Lafferty, Patrick Shanaghan, Patrick Cannon, Davide Devine, Joseph Connolly, Damian Brolly. For the actual headstone, in Strabane Cemetery, see Stabane’s Republican Graves.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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Clonard Martyrs

“I gcuımhne na maırbh dílıs” [“In memory of the faithful dead”] “Clonard martyrs C coy 2nd battalion Belfast Brigade Óglaıgh na hÉıreann roll of honour.” The right-hand plaque commemorates “civilians murdered by loyalists and British forces during the course of the conflict”. “I measc laochra na nGaedheal go raıbh sıad – go ndeana Dıa trócaıre ar a nanamacha”.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Republican Gravestones

These three IRA gravestones are in Derry City Cemetery. The first is to Hugh and Susan Morrison, IRA and Cumann na mBan members in 1922 (findagrave/Derry Journal). Hugh died from a premature bomb explosion during a gun-battle at Skeog/Skeoge (p. 41 of 1916 Derry Rising Revisited). Brothers John and Hugh Gallagher – John was “killed in June [1920] Derry riots” while Hugh was “shot by Free State soldiers at Drumboe Castle [holding centre]” in 1922. Finally, John Starrs, killed in a gun battle with the British Army in William Street, in 1972.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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