four provinces

Kieran Doherty TD

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“Vol. Kieran Doherty, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, age 25, commenced his hunger strike on May 22 and tragically died on Sunday afternoon 2nd Aug 1981. Kieran was elected TD by the people of Cavan and Monaghan in their support of the prisoners’ campaign for political status.” “It is not those who inflict the most but those who endure the most who shall conquer in the end – this [paraphrase of 1920 hunger-striker Terence MacSwiney] was one of the last messages sent out of the H-Blocks by Vol Kieran Doherty TD.”

The mural on the stairs has been removed – compare with 2004, which also has close-ups.

This portrait and plaque to Doherty are at the bottom of Slemish Way at the junction with the Andersonstown Road; there is a memorial stone at the top of Slemish Way on Commedagh Drive.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Eamonn Lafferty

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“Vol Eamonn Lafferty killed on active service at this spot on the 18th Aug 1971 by Crown forces whilst defending his community. Eamonn was just 19 years old. Fuaır sé bás ar son na hÉıreann. Erected by the Eamonn Lafferty [Sınn Féın] Cumann [Fb]” Lafferty was killed in a gun-battle between the Derry Brigade and British Army forces who were attempting to dismantle barricades in republican “Free Derry”. The mural and plaque shown (and a headstone) are situated — as the mural states — in the location where he was killed, in Creggan’s Kildrum Gardens. (His body is buried in City Cemetery.)

This mural replaces a simpler mural at the same location – see Eamonn Lafferty. The headstone remains as before.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Bryson-Mulvenna

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A second plaque has been added to the mural of Patrick Mulvenna and Jim Bryson and the mural itself has been refreshed: the lark in the apex has been replaced by funeral trappings and the knot-work frame has been painted over.

“In proud and loving memory of Óglach Patrick Mulvenna, shot dead by British crown forces near this spot while an active service, 31st August 1973, and of his comrade Óglach Jim Bryson, also shot and died of his wounds, 22nd September 1973. Belfast Brigade Óglaigh na hÉıreann. I measc laoachra na nGael go raıbh sıad.”

Ballymurphy Road, Belfast

For the other, original, plaque and the original mural, see Bryson-Mulvenna.

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Copyright © 2013/2011 Peter Moloney
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Ar Aghaıdh Lınn

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Cú Chulaınn stands dying. In addition to the four provinces in the corners, the four colours of man can be seen in the apex (as a background to Ireland). Tuan the hawk historian, who has seen all of the conquests of Ireland, flies overhead. (Both Tuan and the four colours are familiars of Mo Chara Kelly.)

“Ar aghaıdh lınn” [Onward! or Let’s go!]

Glenbawn Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Stand As One

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“Make a difference – Join RNU – Be committed – Stand as one – Implement 12th August Agreement! – End strip searches – End controlled movement.” Cogús is the POW department of the RNU, no longer on-line at http://www.republicannetwork.ie. The board is on the rear of Free Derry Corner, which has its own Visual History page.

Lecky Road, Derry

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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… And Short Strand Too!

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This is a two-part electoral mural from Sınn Féın: on the left, the mural is for the specific candidacy of local man Nıall Ó Donghaılle – he was successfully elected to Belfast City Council and served as Lord Mayor; on the right, for Sınn Féın generally, using words from (the song) On The One Road (here’s a Wolfe Tones rendition): “Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Donegal” … and Short Strand too!

Mountpottinger Road, Belfast, which has its own Visual History page.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Hunger Striker Mosaics

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For the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike, the mosaics of the Troubles-era hunger strikers are mounted around the blanket-men board and above the Phoenix in Clowney Street; for a few years they were previously at the Falls-Beechmount corner.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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All Our Dead

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In addition to three plaques, a wrought-iron head-piece, multiple flag-pole holders and railings fencing in a small area, this mural in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close in Ardoyne uses painted discs for each of the twelve hunger strikers (the ten in Long Kesh 1981 and two from the 70s in English prisons, Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg – the twelve also featured in Derry’s Spirit Of Freedom mural), rather than painting their likenesses directly onto the wall. The two quotes are from Bobby Sands “Let our revenge by the laughter of our children” and Michael Gaughan “Let there be no bitterness on my behalf to achieve a united Ireland”.

The items above the mural are new, compared to 2010. The plaque on the left is to people who died “in defence of the area” and on the right to those who died “of natural causes” who endured discrimination, hardship, suffering, imprisonment.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Éırí Amach Na Casca

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The wall has been seen before (in 2009) (though the flags are a new addition) but here are close-ups of the street sign (“RPG Avenue”) and the IRA 2nd battalion plaque. Originally the plaque had only seven names – see Free Ireland. “Fuaır sıad bás ar son na hÉıreann” [They died for Ireland], “Ireland unfree will never be at peace“.

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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