Starry Plough

James Connolly

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
m00659

James Connolly (186-1916) wears the initials “ICA” on his collar, standing for “Irish Citizen Army”, the force that he led during the Rising at Easter/Cáısc 1916.

Between Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann and Wear An Easter Lily in Ballycolman estate, Strabane

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1989 Peter Moloney
M00659

We Salute

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
m00672

“North West Roll Of Honour INLA”. Seven volunteers – and one empty spot – are listed in this Ballycolman mural: Neil McMonagle, Colm McNull, Pierce Moore, Patsy O’Hara, Kevin Lynch, Micky Devine, James McPhilemy. Featuring the red star of socialism and the Starry Plough of the INLA. Painted by “BRSY” Ballycolman Republican Socialist Youth.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1989 Peter Moloney
M00672

Low Profile/Union Jack Crumbling

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment
m00606

m00607

m00605

Here are two pieces by Republican News cartoonist “Cormac” (Brian Moore) reproduced in Springhill Avenue, Belfast by Mo Chara Kelly, one about the unavailability of the paper in a left-leaning London bookshop (because “violence is only acceptable if it doesn’t happen here”), the other showing the Union Flag crumbling and the Starry Plough rising from its ashes.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
M00606 M00607 M00605

Those Who Gave Their Lives For Ireland’s Freedom

Extramural Activity1 Comment
m00594

m00595

m00593

m00596

These images show a mural nearing completion in Norglen Gardens, Belfast, featuring a Celtic cross and the three republican flags (Tricolour, Sunburst, Starry Plough). “In proud memory of those who gave their lives for Ireland’s freedom. Also to all civilians murdered by the British crown forces. Also to all civilians murdered by pro-British elements.” The listed volunteers (and one Sınn Féın member) are “Martin Forsythe, Martin Skillen, Gerard Fennell, Terence O’Neill, John Dempsey, Sean McDermott, Tom Magill, Sean Savage, Kevin McCracken, Paul Best”. The other mural is of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
M00594 M00593 M00595 M00596

Bobby Sands – Che Guevara

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Like the “Heroico” image of Che Guevara – see the Visual History page on Jim Fitzpatrick – the smiling Bobby Sands would become the standard one. They differ in that Che is in his uniform (attending a funeral service) while Sands is in civilian clothes, and the attire indicates that Che is a military hero while Sands, who was an IRA volunteer, would become an icon primarily as a hunger-striker. (See the Visual History page on the Sevastopol Street mural of Sands.)

In this mural, which pre-dates the refinement of Sands’s image, the two portraits are combined. Sands is accompanied by flag-bearing Irish volunteers and Che by a Soviet orator (Lenin?) on a tank. perhaps to emphasise the socialist dimension of the republican (and particularly INLA) struggle.

Westland Street, Bogside, Derry

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
M00522