political

Remember The Hunger Strikers

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These are images from 2012 of the ‘My brother is not a criminal’ memorial in Ford’s Cross/Silverbridge, seen previously in 2006.

As the second image shows, earlier hunger strikers are also remembered: Thomas Ashe 1917, Michael Fitzgerald, Joseph Murphy, Terence McSwiney 1920, Joseph Whitty, Denis Barry, Andy Sullivan 1923, Tony Darcy, Sean McNeela 1940, Sean McCaughey 1946, Michael Gaughan 1974, Frank Stagg 1976.

The gallery of twelve hunger strikers in ‘Remember the hunger strikers’ is further up the road, towards Cullyhanna.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Cullyhanna Memorials

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Three Cullyhanna memorials:

Top: “During the hunger-strike of 1981, in which ten men died, the Holy Rosary was recited here [on Freeduff Road], daily, by the community of Cullyhanna, to highlight the suffering of all the women and men in Armagh Gaol and Long Kesh, described by the late Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiach, a native of Cullyhanna, as being “worse than the sewers of Calcutta”. Go ndéana Dıa trócaıre ar a n-anam. Unveiled on the 8th July, 2001 by former hunger-striker, Paddy Quinn.”

Middle: The central panel is to Brendan Moley, Kevin Caherty, Michael McVerry, Brendan Burns, Fergal Caraher. Flanking this is a a longer list of volunteers, in English (left) and Irish (right). McVerry, Boyle, Jordan, McKiernan, Lochrie, Campbell, Cleary, Harvey, McElvanna, Caherty, McCreesh, Moley, Burns, Caraher, Duffy, Martin, Daly, Watters, Toner, Rogers. With smaller plaques to Tom Rooney & John Caraher, and to Brian Keenan.

Bottom: An individual memorial to “Vol Francis Caraher, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, murdered by British soldiers at this spot [on Tullyvallen Road] on 30th December 1990, aged 20 years.”

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Na Staılceoırí Ocraıs

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“Erected by the local people to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the hunger strikers. I ndıl chuımhne ar na staılceoırí ocraıs a fuaır bás ar son na h-Éıreann 1981. In loving memory of the hunger strikers who died for Ireland in 1981.” With a small blanketman illustration.

Kilmorey Street, Newry

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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National Hunger Strike Commemoration 2012

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Here is a board announcing, and a gallery of images from, the hunger strike commemoration in 2012, Dungiven.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Kevin Lynch 1956-1981

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Kevin Lynch is shown raising the Under-16 County Derry hurling trophy (photo below). He was arrested in December 1976 and went on the blanket and then the second hunger strike. Lynch died after 71 days on hunger strike – the longest-surviving striker – in Long Kesh/the Maze prison. The H-Block Song (with lyric “I’ll wear no convict’s uniform/nor meekly serve my time/that Britain might brand Ireland’s fight/800 years of crime” was played by a piper at his funeral. (An Phoblacht)

The four black-and-white squares show (top left) Mary Nelis, Kathleen Deeny and Theresa Deery, protesting the arrests of their sons; (bottom left) the memorial to Lynch in Park, where has was born; (top right) blanketmen Hugh Rooney and Freddie Toal; (bottom right) Lynch’s gravestone in Dungiven.

Along the bottom are the emblems of Kevin Lynch Memorial flute band (Fb), Kevin Lynch’s hurling club (“mısneach ‘s dílseacht”), and St Dympna’s football club, Luton (Fb).

The mural is shown on the day of its launch, August 4th, 2012 – the plaque on the left is covered by a small curtain in the first image above but shown in the second.

The street was also named in Lynch’s honor, with a plaque at the other end.

The placard is in Chapel Road – it seems to be the same one as in 2011, but with a frame added.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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The Heart Of The Empire

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“Belfast, Shankill Road the heart of the empire salutes her majesty on 60 glorious years.” [1952-2012]

This is a new three-part installation of boards on Crimea Street for Queen Elizabeth’s diamond (60th) jubilee. For “Ulster To England” see Ulster Girl. On the left are flags of the home nations along with the Royal Standard and Union Flag.

For some close-ups, see the Seosamh Mac Coille collection.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Died Before Surrender

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“Died before surrender – 5th May – 20th August 1981”. For the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike, portraits of the ten deceased hunger strikers on either side of a Long Kesh watch-tower. “Erected by Newry Independent Republican 1918 Committee”.

Camlough Road and – with James Connolly stencils by éırígí (web) – Canal Street, Newry

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Oh Lonely Winds

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“I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh a n-aınmeacha … [twelve dead hunger strikers] … ‘Oh lonely winds that walk the night to haunt the sinners oul, pray pity me a wretched lad who never will grow old, pray pity those who lie in pain, the bondsman and the slave, and whisper sweet the breath of God upon my humble grave’ – Bobby Sands [Weeping Winds poem]. Erected by McCreesh–McCabe Cumann on 17th March 2002″

Forkhill Road, Mullaghbane

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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No Right In Ireland

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“The British government has no right in Ireland, never had any right in Ireland, and never can have any right in Ireland.” (Last Statement, 1916) 

“James Connolly 1868-1916 James Connolly was born in June 5th 1868. In 1810 he became organiser for the Irish Transport And General Workers Union in Belfast. In 1913 he co-founded the Irish Citizen Army. He was one of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation and commanded HQ in the GPO during the 1916 Rising. He was executed by the British on May 12th 1916.” 

“Nora Connolly O’Brien 1893-1981 Nora Connolly was the 2nd daughter of James Connolly. Nora was a member of Cumann Na mBan and the Gaelic League in Belfast. She played an organisational role in the ICA in the run up to the 1916 Rising. She was a trade unionist and remained so throughout her life.”

The mural was launched on May 3rd.

Clondara Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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