celtic cross

Éıre

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This Short Strand mural packs a lot in, beginning with both ancient Éıre and a celtic cross. Its main panels commemorate 25 years of resistance in east Belfast (probably dating to the Battle Of St Matthew’s in 1970) with portraits of 16 deceased locals (“I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh a naınmeacha”) and two verses from Bobby Sands’s poem Weeping Winds (see below). On the right (in the second image) is a quote from Bobby Sands: “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children”.

Oh, whistling winds why do you weep/When roaming free you are,
Oh! Is it that your poor heart’s broke/And scattered off afar?
Or is it that you bear the cries/Of people born unfree,
Who like your way have no control/Or sovereign destiny?

Oh! Lonely winds that walk the night/To haunt the sinner’s soul/
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.

These verses are also used on a board in St James’s.

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01683 M01684

The Names, The Stories, The Tales, The Sacrifices

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“When the story of the Belfast Brigade of the IRA is told, when the war is over, is ended, among that story the names, the stories, the tales, the sacrifices, the actions of the volunteers from the Greater Ballymurphy area will be written large.” “This monument was erected by the republican people of Greater Ballymurphy in proud and loving memory of all those volunteers from the area who their lives in the fight for Irish freedom.” “Unveiled by Gerry Adams 12th May 1985.” “I ndıl cuımhne [chuimhne] ı gcónaı ag na poblachtánaıgh ón cheantar Barr Cluanaı.” “Also in memory of the civilians who died at the hands of the British Army, RUC, UDR and loyalist extremists.” The plaque was featured previously but the surrounding mural, with phoenix and volunteers with lowered rifles, is new. Ballymurphy Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2002, 2004 Peter Moloney
M01653 M01654 M02238

Belfast Graves

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“And all around are monuments that bear a martyr’s name/True patriots who fought and died to kindle freedoms flame/Jimmy Quigley, [Eamonn] McCormick and [Teddy] O’Neill with [Michael] Magee brave/Remember them, they died for us and found a martyr’s grave.” The words of Ray McAreavey’s song are modified to include four Ballymurphy IRA/Fıanna volunteers. With additional portraits of local stalwarts Alice Franklin and Mary Fegan.

Divismore Way, Ballymurphy, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01648
Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
M02239 M02240

They Shall Not Pass

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“In memory of their victims … they shall not pass.” An elaborate celtic cross in memory (i ndil cuimhne) of Troubles victims from Catholic south Belfast and a promise to block Orange Order parades in the lower Ormeau.

Farnham Street, south Belfast

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Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01536 M01535