physical force

Let Us Swear By Joe’s Martyred Blood

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“This plaque commemorates IRA vol. Joe McDonnell who lived in this house prior to his capture on 14th Oct 1976. Joe later died at 5.11 am on 8th July 1981 after 61 days on hunger strike in the h blocks Long Kesh. ‘Let us swear by Joe’s martyred blood never to waver of fail til the true united Irish socialist republic stands forth before the nations, a testimony to the worthiness of our case.’ Óglach calma dobhrıste. [A strong, unbreakable volunteer]”

Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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The Famine

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“Nature sent the potato blight, government & landlords created the famine.” 1845-1849 saw one million Irish people die and a million more emigrate. During the period, the full range of other foodstuffs was produced and shipped to England, being too expensive for the native population.

Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
M03538

Kieran Doherty

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“I gcuımhne ar Vol. Kieran Doherty TD, [IRA] Brıogáıd Bhéal Feırste, of 54 Commedagh Drive, rugadh 16ú Deıreadh Fómhaır 1955, elected TD for Cavan/Monaghan 18th June 1981, a fuaır bás 2ú Lúnasa 1981, after 73 days on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh. ‘It is not those who can inflict the most, but those who can endure the most, who will conquer in the end.’ [paraphrase of Terence MacSwiney]” The memorial stone is in Commedagh Drive, Belfast, just west of Doherty’s home, where there is a plaque to mark his residence “Vol Kieran Doherty T.D. lived here 16-10-1955 – 2-8-1981 Fuaır sé bás as son saoırse na hÉıreann”.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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M09483+

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Political Status Now

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“Political status now” – one of four such small boards along the Falls. The others are “Join Republican Sınn Féın 1905-2001“, “RSF“, and “Brits out, not sell out“. Below it (cut off) is “Go mall – páıstí’ (“Slowly – children”).

Islandbawn Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Máıre Drumm

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“I ndíl [ndıl] chuımhne Máıre Drumm, Vice President of Sınn Féın, assassinated by loyalists 28th Oct. 1976. ‘We must take no steps backward, our steps must be onward, for if we don’t, the martyrs that died for you, for me, for this country, will haunt us forever.'” Máıre Drumm was Vice President from 1972 until her death, killed in the Mater hospital by RHC volunteers dressed as doctors.

Falls Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Lamh Dearg Abu

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The UVF’s Red Hand Commando are inspired by the British Army’s SAS and uses a similar image for its emblem: instead of wings on a sword, RHC uses wings on a red hand. [East Belfast] C company mural in Ballybeen. ‘Lamh dearg abu’ = ‘red hand to victory’.

Upper Newtownards Road

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Ballybeen Remembers

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The “UVF” on the storage units would be painted over, leaving only the memorial to the 36th (Ulster) Division. The Ballybeen RHC memorial mural on the side would remain until the building was redeveloped and both murals were replaced by a memorial garden.

Craignish Crescent, Davarr Avenue.

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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