“Frank Aiken born Camloch 1898-1983. Commandant of the 4th Northern Division (IRA) 1921-1923. Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army 1923-1925.” Aiken was also a TD for Louth from 1923 to 1973, initially for Sınn Féın but subsequently for Fıanna Fáıl, of which he was a founding member (WP).
Newry Road, Camlough
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
M07330
“In loving memory of Vol. Tom Williams “C. Coy” 2nd Battalion Belfast Brigade IRA who lived here [46 Bombay Street, where Williams lived with his grandmother Fay] and was executed in Belfast Gaol [Crumlin Road] 2nd Sept 1942, aged 19 years. Ar dheıs Dé go ra[ı]bh a anam. Erected by National Graves Association, Belfast 1992.”
Williams, the unit’s leader, took sole responsibility for the killing of RUC Constable Patrick Murphy, hoping that it would save the lives of the other seven (including two women) who had taken part in the ambush. The six men were jointly convicted of the killing but only Williams was ultimately hanged, after appeals from Ireland (not yet officially ‘The Republic Of’), the Vatican, and the US State Department (RN).
There is a portrait of Williams at the bottom of Clonard Street, and a mural in Kashmir Street in the 1990s.
Bombay Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
M07289
“In memory of Fıan Gerald McAuley (aged 15) killed while defending the people of Clonard on the 15th August 1969. Erected by the Greater Clonard Ex-Prisoners Association.” McAuley was killed during the riots in August 1969 that mark the start of “the Troubles” (An Phoblacht). The plaque is near the spot where he was killed. His portrait was above the No Decommision mural and then in the Never Again mural in Bombay Street.
Waterville Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
M07288
A second plaque has been added to the mural of Patrick Mulvenna and Jim Bryson and the mural itself has been refreshed: the lark in the apex has been replaced by funeral trappings and the knot-work frame has been painted over.
“In proud and loving memory of Óglach Patrick Mulvenna, shot dead by British crown forces near this spot while an active service, 31st August 1973, and of his comrade Óglach Jim Bryson, also shot and died of his wounds, 22nd September 1973. Belfast Brigade Óglaigh na hÉıreann. I measc laoachra na nGael go raıbh sıad.”
Ballymurphy Road, Belfast
For the other, original, plaque and the original mural, see Bryson-Mulvenna.
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Copyright © 2013/2011 Peter Moloney
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M07255a
[M07254] [M07255] [M07256] M07257 [M07258] [M07259]
Dorothy Maguire and her sister Maura Meehan were killed in their car by the British Army near Cape Street in the lower Falls in the early hours of October 23rd, 1917. They were both members of Cumann na mBan (Choosing The Green).
Whiterock Road, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
M07252
Flames have been added to the phoenixes on the gates of the New Barnsley memorial garden, previously seen in 2008.
Moyard Parade, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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“Years from now they will ask you where you were when your comrades were dying on hunger strike. Shall you say that you were with us, or shall you say that you were conforming to very system that drove us to our deaths.” The mural is to Mickey Devine, with a smaller (and much older) plaque to Patsy O’Hara (the plaque was previously information about Devine). Both were INLA volunteers and both died in the 1981 hunger strike, along with Kevin Lynch; Liam McCloskey was taken off the strike by his family after 55 days.
Chemical Street, Belfast
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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A mural of hands releasing doves is added to the memorial garden in Clós Ard An Lao, in Ardoyne (and a lower plaque is removed). In the middle is a plaque in remembrance of 38 local people (“from the greater Bone, Ballybone, Rosapenna area”) who died during the troubles, on the left, next to the pikemen, is a celtic cross with an Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann roll of honour; on the right is a statue of Jesus with a sacred heart.
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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In addition to three plaques, a wrought-iron head-piece, multiple flag-pole holders and railings fencing in a small area, this mural in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close in Ardoyne uses painted discs for each of the twelve hunger strikers (the ten in Long Kesh 1981 and two from the 70s in English prisons, Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg – the twelve also featured in Derry’s Spirit Of Freedom mural), rather than painting their likenesses directly onto the wall. The two quotes are from Bobby Sands “Let our revenge by the laughter of our children” and Michael Gaughan “Let there be no bitterness on my behalf to achieve a united Ireland”.
The items above the mural are new, compared to 2010. The plaque on the left is to people who died “in defence of the area” and on the right to those who died “of natural causes” who endured discrimination, hardship, suffering, imprisonment.
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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[M10897] [M10898] [M10899]
“In proud and loving memory of Larry Kennedy, independent Belfast City councillor, anti-H-Block and Armagh Committee. Gunned down by pro-British forces on the steps of the Shamrock club, 8th October, 1981.” According to the Andersonstown News, Kennedy was killed by the UFF. The plaque is on the Ardoyne Avenue side of the club.
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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
M06730 [M08262]
Peter Moloney Collection 