Following the unrest of 1969, the British Army took over the top two floors (18 and 19) of Divis Tower, for use as an observation post (notice all of the devices on poles in both the painting and reality) and was accessed by helicopter. The post would be dismantled in 2005 (BBC-NI has some images). Divis Street, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
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Although visitors have been touring the murals for years, this Divis Street, Belfast, this board advertising black taxi tours is an early indicator of what is sometimes called “troubles tourism”, five years after the ratification of the Good Friday Agreement. Pickup is in Castle Junction/Gabhal An Chaısleaın.
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M02002
The commission into policing led by Conservative MP Chris Patten produced its report in September 1999 and various of its recommendations were enacted into law. (The full report or the summary of recommendations are available at CAIN.) The board above alleges that the only change was the name – the name originally suggested was “Northern Ireland Police Service”, but “PSNI” was thought a better initialism – while both forces continue to use plastic bullets. The officer on the right has six digits on his right hand.
Divis Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M02001
2003 image of the 2001 RSF board to “H Block martyrs” – the ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers, now with “CIRA” [Continuity IRA] graffiit. Seen in 2001: Remember Them Always.
Falls Road, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M01992
“Collusion is state murder”. ‘Wanted’ posters for [RUC chief] Ronnie Flanagan, John Major, [FRU head] Gordon Kerr, Margaret Thatcher. Falls Road, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M01997
“Éıre Nua” was the Provisional Sınn Féın and (after the 1986 split) Republican Sınn Féın (RSF) plan (pdf | also a social and economic plan pdf) for a federal Ireland, with a semi-independent Ulster parliament.
The board above combines various iconic images: Divis tower, Cave Hill, Free Derry Corner, the female volunteer in beret, the revolutionary in front of the Tricolour on a pike.
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M01994
The plaque to Nora McCabe (previously seen in Nora McCabe – The Truth) below the board commemorating the victims of rubber and plastic bullets is gone. “Since 1972, seventeen people killed – including 8 children”.
Islandbawn Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M01991
“Whoever we are, wherever we live, these rights belong to all children under the sun and the moon and the stars, whether we live in cities or towns or villages or in the mountains or valleys or deserts or forests or jungles. Anywhere and everywhere in the big wide world these are the rights of every child.” No war, poverty, or spoils. Signposts mark the way to Ofer Prison Camp in the West Bank and Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
Islandbawn Street, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M01990
Pike, pistol, and assault rifles — a brief history of republican weaponry in remembrance of local volunteers and activists. At the centre, below the phoenix, is Stan Carberry, included on a Falls Road plaque.
AMCOMRI Street, Beechmount, west Belfast
“Erected by Coıste Cuımhneacháın Ard Na bhFeá 2003.” The plaque reads, “This mural is dedicated to the volunteers of ‘A’ company 2nd batt. Belfast Brigade Óglaıgh na hÉıreann, to the Sınn Féın members Mid Falls cumann, who militarily and politically gave their all for a 32 county social democratic republic. Their names have been spoken off [sic] among their friends and comrades throughout the years. Now everyone can see the faces and not just hear the names of the ordinary people with extra-ordinary lives.”
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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
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Peter Moloney Collection 