physical force

Loch gCál

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Here is an image of the completed Loch gCál/Loughgall mural (see also the in-progress image from 1987) in memory of the eight IRA volunteers from the East Tyrone brigade who were killed in an SAS ambush during an attack on an RUC base in May, 1987 (WP).

Their names are given here in Irish and (partially) in the old script:

“I ndıl cuimh[n]e de [= ar]
Óglach Pádraıg Ó Ceallaıġ [Patrick Kelly],
Óglach Séamus Ó Donn[ġ]aıle [Seamus Donnelly],
Óglach Deaglán Mac Aırt [Declan Arthurs],
Óglach Séamus Laıghneach [Jim Lynagh],
Óglach Gearóıd Ó Ceallacháın [Gerry O’Callaghan],
Óglach Pádraıg Mac Cearnaıgh [Pádraıg McKearney],
Óglach Antóın Ó Garmaıle [Ó Gormghaıle | Tony Gormley],
Óglach Eoghan Ó Ceallaıġ [Eugene Kelly]

an ochtar óglach de óglaigh na hÉireann a dúnmharú ag Loch gCál ar an ochtú lá Bealtaine 1987.”
[the eight volunteers from the Irish Volunteers [IRA] who were murdered at Loughgall on the eighth day of May, 1987]

The town (Loughgall) and the four provinces are also named in Irish. An Easter lily is at the centre of the Celtic cross in the middle of the image, above a lark in barbed wire and a gal gréıne/sunburst.

Painted by Mo Chara. The bright colours and sweeping clouds/skyline are inspired by the work of Jim Fitzpatrick. 

Springhill Avenue, west Belfast.

There is a list of the eight names, also in Irish, in the New Lodge, north Belfast.

Click here for Nuada And Loughgall together.

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Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
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Nuada & Loughgall

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Here is an image of the Nuada and Loughgall/Loch gCál murals together at the top of Springhill Avenue in west Belfast, painted by Mo Chara and inspired by the work of Jim Fitzpatrick. 

For in-progress images see Loch gCál and Is É Seo Nuadha, Rí Tuatha Dé Danann. Also seen a year later, in 1989.

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Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
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The Felons

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From inside the Felons Club in Andersonstown, Belfast: a version of Walter Paget’s Birth Of The Irish Republic above the famous quote from Pearse’s O’Donovan Rossa oration – “The fools, the fools, they have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace” — along with portraits of hunger strikers.

For a history of the club in its previous locations, see this Danny Morrison remembrance.

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Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
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Rev. General Ian Paisley

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Ian Paisley in 1986 (in the aftermath of the Anglo-Irish Agreement) declared that we were on the verge of “civil war”. The reference to Canada is obscure – Paisley went to Canada at the time of the UWC strike in 1974; he also had a brother living there. On the left-hand side of the wall is the “latest from Casement Park: IRA 2, SAS [0]” – perhaps a reference to the killings of Corporals Wood and Howes at the funeral of IRA volunteer Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh.

For the mural see Stad Maggie Anois 1986 | 1987.

Beechmount Avenue, Belfast.

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Copyright © 1988 LC
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Those Who Gave Their Lives For Ireland’s Freedom

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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.

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Copyright © 1988 Peter Moloney
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