painted wall

America’s Greatest Failure

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This is a three-part mural condemning the US invasion of Iraq. On the left, President George W Bush is sucking on a tube of oil while pocketing a fistful of dollars, while oily bubbles with dollar signs float out of his ears. In the middle, a “British support hook” belittles the role of the UK in the “coalition of the willing”. And on the right, a Vietnam-era poster is repurposed for the current situation: a tattered stars and stripes is still flying, over a scene of death and mass destruction. The invasion began on March 20th, 2003; US troops did not leave until 2011.

Divis Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
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The Women Of 1916

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“They stand for the honour of Ireland/As their sisters in days that are gone/And they’ll march with their brothers to freedom/The soldiers of Cumann Na mBan.” “This mural is dedicated to the Women of Cumann Na mBan, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann & Sınn Feın”. “From R[uth] Taillon’s book The Women Of 1916.” With portraits of two volunteers with Belfast associations: Winifred Carney and Nora Connolly. Hawthorn Street, Belfast. Seen previously in 2001 left | right.

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Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
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Vol. Kieran Doherty TD

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Kieran Doherty was elected TD (Teachta Dála) for Cavan-Monaghan three weeks into his 1981 hunger strike. He held the position for two months, until he died on August 2nd. The portraits, plaques, and mural of marchers are in his home area of Andersonstown. The words “It is not those who inflict the most, but those that can endure who shall conquer in the end” are an echo of Terence MacSwiney, whose hunger strike in 1920 lasted 74 days, one more than Doherty’s.

(2004 images of 2001 M01476)

Slemish Way, Andersonstown, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
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One Hundred Years Of Revolution

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The defining objective of the Sınn Féın movement was expressed by Arthur Griffith, editor of the newspaper United Irishman, in 1905: to form a Dublin government “endowed with the moral authority of the Irish nation”. In 1907 three recently created parties united to form Sınn Féın, Cumann Na nGaedheal (1900), the Dungannon Clubs (1905), and the National Council (1903). In 2004, the organisation was looking forward to its centenary.

South Link, Andersonstown, Belfast

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Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
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