plaque

Those From the Ligoniel Area

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The large stone in the corner is to Declan McCluskey but does not give a date or manner of death. It is perhaps the Declan McCluskey who died by suicide in 2005 (BBC-NI); his father Francie is included on the central plaque – he was killed by the UFF in 1982.

“This memorial is dedicated to the memory of all those form the Ligoniel area who lost their lives as a result of the conflict in our country. Mary, queen of the Gael, pray for them”; “This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Óglach Declan McCluskey, Óglaıgh na hÉıreann. ‘I love my God overall,’ he said, ‘And then I loved my land. Oh mother dear I was true, to God, to Ireland and to you.'”

The two central plaques read, “I ndıl chuımhne. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of all those from Ligoniel who lost their lives as a result of the conflict in our country. A Mhuıre banríon na nGael guıgh orthu.” and “In loving memory of Terry McCafferty, Michelle Osborne, Vol. Jackie Mooney, Danny O’Neill, Jim Sullivan, Alac Greer, Mary Sloan, Rosemary Brown, Mrs Sloan, Letta Younger, William Younger, Francie McCluskey, John O’Neill, Colm McCallum, Brian McKimm, Leo Scullion, Sammy Bell, Kevin Flood, Brian Duffy, John Todd, Maurice O’Kane. May they rest in peace.”

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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An Gorta Mór

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2009 image of the (second – see C05209) Great Hunger mural on Ardoyne Avenue (see previously the mural in 2002) with the correct spelling of “emigration” restored (see 2004).

“They buried us without shroud or coffin” is a line from an unrelated Seamus Heaney poem Requiem For The Croppies. Produced by “Ardoyne Art & Environment Project”.

The plaque on the left is to Larry Marley.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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The Great Wars & The Recent Conflict

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“In remembrance of all those Ulstermen & women from the Greater Dunmurry area who died during the great wars 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. Also those men and women who died during the recent conflict. Lest we forget.” The “recent conflict” perhaps includes the Ulster Special Constabulary (the B Specials), formed in 1920 and replaced by the UDR in 1970 – as included in the plaque on the railings. Rowan Drive, Dunmurry. See previously: Their Loyalty Betrayed and the 2005 images of Freedom Corner.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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West Tyrone Command

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Updated version of the monument to West Tyrone Command (seen in 2005) – perhaps with new fencing. A modern volunteer stands on the left, Cú Chulaınn on the right. “In proud memory of Vol. Charles Breslin age 20, Vol. Michael Devine age 22, Vol. David Devine age 16. West Tyrone command, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. Killed by crown forces near this spot 23 Feb. 1985.” The three were killed in an alleged shoot-to-kill incident. Obituaries in An Phoblacht.

Fountain Street, Strabane

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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They Paid The Ultimate Sacrifice

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“This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Col. Trevor King died 9th July 1994, Major Wm (Frenchie) Marchant died 28th April 1987, Davy Hamilton died 17th June 1994. These brave men were killed near this spot by the enemies of Ulster. No sacrifice is too great for one’s country. They paid the ultimate sacrifice. ‘They shall grow not old/as we that are left grow old/Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn/At the going down of the sun and in the morning/We will remember them.'”

The plaque is old (see They Paid The Ultimate Sacrifice, which shows that the graveside mourners were previously hooded) but the mural is new. All three men – Marchant, King, Hamilton (and Craig) – were shot near the mural/plaque in Spier’s Place – for information, see Ordinary People, Extraordinary Roles.

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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C Company 1st Battalion

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These are 2008 images of the left-hand mural and central plaque on Carnan Street (seen previously in 2005). UVF volunteers Robert Wadsworth, Robert McIntyre, James McGregor, Thomas Chapman, William Hannah, who died in the 1970s, are commemorated. The plaque includes lines from Binyon’s WWI poem For The Fallen: “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old/Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn/At the going down of the sun and in the morning/We will remember them” with “in our hearts forever” added; the flowers of the four home nations also suggests WWI. The “Four Step” was a pub bombed in 1971 (see X02393).

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Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
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