Derry republican and RNU (web) spokesperson Tony Taylor was released under the conditions of the Good Friday agreement. He was jailed for three years in 2011 for possession of a rifle. His license was revoked in March (2016) and he was returned to prison on the grounds that he poses a danger to the public. Both RNU/Cogús and Sınn Féın have called for his release. (Irish News)
Berwick Road, Ardoyne, north Belfast
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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Here is a Na Fıanna Éıreann mural in Ardoyne with Easter lilies on each side of the Fıanna’s ‘sunburst’ (gal gréıne) emblem (which also includes a pike or bill).
For a history of sunburst flags, with lots of images, see An Sıonnach Fıonn. A banner sporting an early version of the emblem, owned by Countess Markievicz during the Rising, was recently returned from London to Dublin (Irish Times).
Like the name “Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann”, “Na Fıanna Éıreann” has been used by many organisations for their youth division; this one is associated with the RNU (web).
Berwick Road, Ardoyne, across the street from Ardoyne’s Fallen Fıanna.
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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This WWI Victoria Cross mural was launched in December, 2014 (NI World), replacing Fight To A Finish. The soldier doesn’t appear to be anyone in particular; the only VC winner from Ballymena was from the Boer War (VC Online).
There are three plaques on the sides, added at various times over the years. On the right, two to James Aberdeen: “In loving memory of our brother Jimmy Aberdeen 28th Aug 1965 – 20th Nov 1995. Forever in our thoughts.” “In memory of James Aberdeen from the members of the Young Loyalist F.B. Pollok, Glasgow. Always remembered.” And on the left: “In loving memory of Charles Robertson 17/07/56 to 25/06/07. A father, grandfather a brother and loyal friend to all hands across the water.”
Drumtara, Ballymena
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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This Ballee Flute Band mural (formerly for the Ballee Blues And Royals) shows the ‘lion and the unicorn’ from the UK coat of arms. The lion (England) wears a crown but the unicorn (Scotland) does not, since, as the nursery rhyme has it, “the lion beat the unicorn all around the town” (WP).
However, in place of the Royal Standard’s crest and “honi soit qui mal y pense” and “Dieu et mon droit” inscriptions, we find the Bible, “Drumtara”, and “In God we trust”.
Behind are the Union Flag and the flags of the Apprentice Boys and the Orange Order.
Ballee Way, Ballymena
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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This mural in Carrick has a 3D element: 312 wood poppies were hand-painted and attached to the wall, one for each local man who did not return. By artist Gary Orr.
North Street, Carrickfergus
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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This is an update to the 2014 entry, when the mural was new. Also included (below) is a piece of graffiti behind Castlemara Stores: “All taigs out”.
Castlemara Drive, Carrickfergus
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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A line from James Connolly’s 1897 piece “Socialism And Nationalism” is adapted by the IRSP for the current post-partition situation: “England will still rule you, she would rule you through her bankers, landlords and Stormont”.
Connolly’s original thought is that – even in a self-governing republic – nationalism is not enough to establish an authentically Irish state: “If you remove the English army tomorrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organization of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain. England would still rule you. She would rule you through her capitalists, through her landlords, through her financiers, through the whole array of commercial and individualist institutions she has planted in this country and watered with the tears of our mothers and the blood of our martyrs.”
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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A history of nationalism/republicanism from left to right: a pair of Easter lilies, four generations of rifles, and then a switch to a ballot paper with a check in favour of “unity” and a road named “Unity Way”: “From bullet to ballot: the evolution of our revolution. 1916 – 2016”
The mural was painted by Con on the north side of Hugo Street – the south side remains exclusively éırígí.
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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There are currently three uses of the “Unfinished revolution, unfinished business” slogan in Derry.
First, a new mural is currently in progress in Creggan. On the right, a soldier raises the Irish Tricolour while trampling on Britain’s Union Flag and the “unfinished revolution” of 1916’s Easter Rising (reproducing a postcard of the era). The modern-day figure on the left is wielding a home-made rocket-launcher used in a 2014 attack on police. It also appears in the board immediately above, and in 2015’s Resistance in Ardoyne, north Belfast.
(The finished piece can be seen in the Seosamh Mac Coılle collection, with verbiage above and below reading, “Unfinished revolution, unfinished business” and “Resistance!”)
Central Drive, Eastway, and Westland Street, Derry.
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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“Free Gaza” in the Ballycolman estate. This piece is from the 2014 war, in which roughly 2,300 Palestinians and 73 Israelis were killed (WP).
Ballycolman Avenue, Strabane
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Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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