“In memory of Brigadier Billy Wright (King Rat). ‘Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ – John Ch15v13. Gone but not forgotten.” Loyalist Volunteer Force memorial Craighill in Ballycraigy, Antrim.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05203 [M05202]
2009 was the fortieth anniversary of the beginning of the Troubles and of the “first person to be killed in the Troubles – murdered by the RUC at this spot [Main Street, Dungiven] on 14th July 1969”: Francie (Pól Beag) McCloskey. McCloskey was a 67 year-old farmer standing in a shop doorway on the 12th (BelTel) or 13th (An Phoblacht) when the RUC charged nationalist rioters attacking the Orange lodge. He would die of a brain haemorrhage on the 14th. “Ar dheıs Dé go raıbh a anam.”
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05196
Three suspected IRA car bombs exploded on Main Street, Claudy, on July 31st, 1972, killing nine people and injuring 30. This memorial on Church Street was designed by Elizabeth McLoughlin and unveiled in 2000. The plaque also acknowledges “the suffering and loss of many others in the Claudy region over the years.”
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05164 [M05165] M05166
“I ndıl cuimhne [chuimhne] Óglach Jim McKernan executed by the British Army near this spot 14th September 1986. Fuaır sé bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. [He died for the cause of Ireland’s freedom]” McKernan was killed in a gun battle between an IRA unit and a British Army foot patrol. Andersonstown Road at Ballyowen.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05160
The main plaque (shown first above) is new; like its predecessor (see M02186) list of the local dead of the IRA 1st battalion, Belfast brigade and related members of the republican movement. (A shorter list is on the plaque to the left, shown second.) There is also a 200th anniversary plaque for the 1798 rebellion: “1798-1998 Who Fears To Speak Of 98. This plaque was erected to the memory of the United Irishmen who gave their lives for Irish freedom also those who died as a result of the Great Hunger. ‘These are the times that try mens’ souls.’ [- Thomas Paine] The rich always betray the poor.’ – Henry Joy McCracken.” The memorial garden is next to the Andersonstown Social Club (a.k.a. the PD or “People’s Democracy”).
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05152 [M05153] [M05156] M05157 M05154 [M05155]
2010 [M05793] [M05792] [M05791]
2009 image of the Andersonstown Road plaque to INLA members Brendan McNamee and Miriam Daly, seen previously in 2006.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05146 [M07978]
Cú Chulaınn stands dying, an inspiration to republicans fighting against the British (rather than Queen Medb), including those Lenadoon locals whose portraits adorn the apex: Tony Henderson, John Finucane, Tony Jordan, Brendan O’Callaghan, Joe McDonnell, Laura Crawford, Maıréad Farrell, Patricia Black, Bridie Quinn (Bridie O’Neill in the previous version of this mural).
Repainted, with a plaque on the right that reads, “This mural, dedicated to the patriot dead of Lenadoon, was unveiled by Gerard O’Neill, Easter 2009.”
See also the Cú Chulaınn Visual History page.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M05134 [M05132] [M05133]
2009 image of the 2006’s In Memory Of A Fallen Comrade. (The specific comrade being Colin Caldwell.)
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M04988 [M04987] [M04986] [M04985]
“Lay them away on the hill side/along with the brave and the bold/Inscribe their names on the role [sic] of fame/in letters of purest gold.” The Ulster Tower at Thiepval commemorates the WWI dead of the 36th (Ulster) Division. The words, however, come from a song about James Daly, who was executed by firing squad for taking part in a 1920 mutiny of the Connaught Rangers in India in protest of the activities of the Black and Tans. Above is the insignia of “UVF South Belfast 2nd battalion” and below is a roll of honour for the battalion: “A salute to the brave/to those men we hold dear/they fought for our freedom/south Belfast volunteers.” Compare this mural to the previous (Here Lies A Soldier), which does not include any reference to the Great War.
On the side of The Hideout, Pine Street.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
[M04970] [M04971] M04972 M04969
[M05656] from 2010
2009 image of the McCurrie and Neill memorial in Pitt Park, seen first in 2005: Murder Most Foul.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M04924
Peter Moloney Collection 