A funeral volley is fired over a Celtic cross representing the grave of INLA hunger striker Patsy O’Hara. Replaces the “Years From Now” version of the mural.
This is a vary rare example of the Irish Tricolour in a PUL mural. In a few earlier murals it has been danced upon by a red hand with legs; in this UDA/UFF board it is being squeezed like a rag. The two UDA letterings are out on Blacks Road.
Connolly House, on the Andersonstown Road, Belfast, is the home of Sınn Féın. Connolly’s portrait is on the railings, on the outside wall is the plaque to John/Sean Downes, the roll of honour is on an inside wall (“this plaque was smashed by pro-British elements during an attack on Connolly House in April 2009. Re-erected by Andersonstown Commemoration Committee”).
“In proud and loving memory of all local volunteers, prisoners of war, republican activists and the unsung heroes who died of natural causes having served the cause of Irish republicanism [“sean óglach” on the individual plaques]. Together in unity you formed a bond which gave true meaning to the undefeated risen people. Your deeds of bravery and resistance will never be forgotten by the people of greater St. James’s. In your honour the quest for Irish freedom continues.”
With the famous “our steps will be onward” quote from Máıre Drumm at an anti-internment rally in Dunville Park on 10th August, 1975 (RN).
Coıste Cuımhneacháın Lár Na bhFál/Ard Na bhFeá [Memorial committee of mid-Falls/Beechmount].
IRA volunteer Francis Liggett was shot by the British Army in January 1973 as he attempted to rob the Royal. One of the images of Gerry Adams in paramilitary beret comes from Liggett’s funeral. Paddy Brady was a Sınn Féın activist shot in 1984 at his work by the UFF (Sutton). Both were from the St James’s area of west Belfast. Their portraits are on either side of Éıre personified. They are also included in the ‘Roll of Honour’ in the memorial garden below them. The verses are from Bobby Sands’s poem Weeping Winds.
Graffiti on the electrical boxes near the Broadway roundabout, marking the western edge of the (PUL) Village: “Loyalist Monarch [Street]”, “FTIBA“, “KAT” [Kill all Taigs [Catholics]], “ATAT” [All Taigs are targets], “The young, the brave, the fearless – YCV”, “Village UVF”.
William Frederick McFadzean of the 14th (Young Citizens) battalion Royal Irish Rifles was awarded the Victoria Cross for throwing himself on a box of grenades that had fallen into the trench during the Battle Of The Somme, July 1st, 1916. The figure on the left is Edward Carson. The plaque reads “Sydenham roll of honour to those who gave their lives in the Great War and to those who haven’t been traced but are known unto God.”