“Flynny” and various others have left their mark on a ‘Patsy O’Hara Youth Movement’ mural showing an INLA volunteer between Starry Plough and Tricolour in Divis Flats.
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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
M00420
Four images from Divis Flats, Belfast, in 1985. First and second, the two murals in the middle of the complex, both from 1981, one to INLA volunteers Matt McLarnon (killed in action on 12 May, 1981) and Danny Loughran (killed by the OIRA on 5 April, 1975) and the other (on the left) a street scene from yesteryear, part of the City Council’s Community Services programme from 1977 to 1981 (see chapter 2 of Bill Rolston’s Politics & Painting). Third, “Touts beware”. Fourth, “Stop the strip searches” on the top of the flats (to the right of faded “Divis Flats supports the hunger strikers”).
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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
M00301 M00302 M00383 M00303 M00304 M00382
This two-part mural in Forest Street, Belfast, features (left) a Sunburst and a Starry Plough on either side of two volunteers who are watching the sun rise/set and (right) “Struggle for freedom” below an outline of the island against the green-white-and-gold stripes of the tricolour.
This mural dates back to 1981.
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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
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A Latin cross, rather than a Cetlic cross, flies two tricolours in honour of the ten deceased hunger strikers: Bobby Sands “M.P.”, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty “T.D.”, Tom McElwee, and Michael Devine. Park Avenue, Derry
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Copyright © 1983 Peter Moloney
M00229
Here is a 1982 image of the 1981 Connolly mural on Beechmount Avenue, Belfast (aka RPG Avenue), showing some vandalism on the right-hand side.
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Copyright © 1982 LC
M00138
Here is a 1982 image of the Break Thatcher’s Back mural in Rockmore Road, Belfast, showing a blanket man with outstretched arms demanding “status now”, framed by a large “H” and surrounded by barbed wire, Tricolours, and the Starry Plough. In 1981, there was a Sean O’Casey quote on the left, rather than a lily and the year of the Easter Rising — 1916. “Free Belfast” in the top left.
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Copyright © 1982 LC
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A celtic cross with the words “Remember our dead” on the base, and a Starry Plough and Tricolour. Central Drive, Derry. Slightly wider shot from Homer Sykes.
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Copyright © 1982 Peter Moloney
M00194
The mural above, painted in 1981, still (2015) exists as is and is thus the oldest original mural in the north. It shows a phoenix rising from the shields of the four provinces and a stand of three flags: Starry Plough, Tricolour, and Sunburst.
Anne Street/Glenanne, Brandywell, Derry
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Copyright © 1982 Peter Moloney
M00192
On the left, a Bible quote — “No greater love hath a man than he lays down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13] — and The 5 Demands — No prison uniform, no prison work, free association, letters, visits, etc., full remission — with the oak leaf and crossed rifles of the Derry Brigade Provisional IRA in between.
On the right, Starry Plough, fractured “H”, and Irish Tricolour are linked by barbed wire. With posters above for hunger-strikers Pat Sheehan, Jackie McMullan, [Hugh] Gerry Carville, who all ended their strikes when October 3rd, 1981, when the strike was ended.
Westland Street, Derry
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Copyright © 1982 Peter Moloney
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At the base of Rossville flats (as seen in the second image): “Patsy O’Hara, O.C. [Officer Commanding, in Long Kesh], INLA”. The shamrock makes a rare appearance alongside the Tricolour and Starry Plough. Rossville Street, Derry. With “Victory to the INLA”, “FTQ”, “Provos” and “IRA” graffiti, and, on the right hand side, the Bloody Sunday memorial.
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Copyright © 1982 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 