“This memorial is dedicated to the memory of Volunteer Micky Devine, Irish National Liberation Army and H-Block martyr who gave his life on 20th August 1981. Also dedicated to his nine brave comrades. ‘Our freedom must be had at all hazards. If the men of property will not help us they must fall; we will free ourselves by the aid of that large and respectable class of the community – the men of no property’ – Theobold Wolfe Tone”
“In proud and loving memory of Vol. Colm Keenan and Vol. Eugene McGillan killed on active service 14th March 1972. Beırıgí bua.” Six weeks after Bloody Sunday, teenagers Keenan and McGillan were shot and killed during a gun battle between the IRA and British Army in which, it is claimed, they were not participants (RN/AP).
IRA volunteer Raymond McCreesh, originally from Camlough, died on May 21st, 1981, after 61 days on hunger strike. “In proud and loving memory of ten brave Irish soldiers who died on hunger strike in 1981 for their five just demands. I gcuımhne ar ıobaırt [íobaırt] cróga na staılceoırí ocraıs 1981 ní dheánfar [dhéanfar] dearmad orthu.”
“In memory of [LVF] Brigadier Billy Wright murdered 27th December 1997 by the NIO aided by republican scum. Remembered proudly by your comrades in Ulster – Scotland – England. Lead the way.” Wright was killed in the Maze by three INLA inmates.
“West Belfast Taxi Association. Dedicated to the memory of Michael Duggan, Harry Muldoon, Patsy McAllister, Caoımhín Mac Bradaıgh, Thomas Hughes, Hugh Magee, Padraıg Ó Cleırıgh, Jim Green. Murdered in the service of their community. A Dhıa dean trócaıre ar an n-anama. May God have mercy on their souls.”
Just inside the WBTA office at King St/Berry St/Francis St.
“This mural is dedicated to the fallen volunteers of No 4 Pltn A Coy 1st Belfast Battn, Ulster Volunteer Force who dutifully served this community in the years of the conflict. It pays tribute both to those who died on active engagement an to the many who passed peacefully from service having fulfilled their duties. Their names and deeds are eternally venerated by their comrades in arms who humbly serve in their honor. ‘They remained staunch to the end against odds uncounted/And fell with their faces to the foe/Their names liveth for evermore’.”
The plaque reads “In memory of our fallen comrades no. 4 platoon A coy. 1st battalion Belfast. Lest we forget.”
The mural shows a graveyard, the left half depicting the gray headstones of WWI burials – a modern volunteer joining a WWI soldier in mourning – while the right shows contemporary headstones of shiny black marble, over which a modern volunteer stands pointing his rifle. Seen previously in 2005.
“At this spot, on 13th August, 1975, five Protestants were killed and up to sixty injured during a Republican bomb and gun attack, led by ex-trainee priest and IRA leader, Brendan ‘Bic’ McFarlane, a close associate of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, achieved, in part, exactly what they set out to do – to murder and maim members of our community in cold blood. … although their mission was completed, their callous agenda failed … the people of West Belfast … emerged stronger and even more resolute, to defeat the pure evil that is Irish Republicanism, once and for all! … the Irish Republican Army … were a homicidal, guerrilla grouping! A criminal organisation devoid of conscience! … a sectarian murder gang. … ” Hugh Alexander Harris, Samuel Gunning, William John Gracey, Joanne McDowell, Linda Boyle. “Erected by the Bayardo Somme Association “A forgotten atrocity”” The attack was in retaliation for the Miami Showband killings and the bar was chosen because it was used by the UVF. Harris was in the UVF and Brigade Staff had been at a meeting in the bar but it had already broken up (WP).
Aberdeen Street, Belfast, on the former site of the Bayardo Bar.
“Erected in proud memory of Volunteer Andrew Cairns – Taken from us 12th July 2000 – A true soldier of Ulster”. UVF volunteer Cairns was killed at the Boyne Square bonfire in the UDA feud. See also Cairns & Johnston.
“To commemorate our RUC comrades killed in 8 Infantry Brigade area of responsibility in the course of the fight against terrorism 1969-2001. “We will remember them”. From all ranks 8 Infantry Brigade . Unveiled jointly by Assistant Chief Constable North Region Acc. S Kincaid, Commander 8 Infantry Brigade Brigadier PR Newton. 11 October 2001.”
