“In loving memory of volunters [sic] John Stone, Jason McWilliams, Kevin McCracken, and John Dougal.” The four IRA members are shown in front of the Springhill shops, with a Sınn Féın banner above the windows. With additional portraits of local activists Annie McWilliams, Mary Austin, Kathleen Clarke.
Springhill Drive, Belfast
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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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“When the story of the Belfast Brigade of the IRA is told, when the war is over, is ended, among that story the names, the stories, the tales, the sacrifices, the actions of the volunteers from the Greater Ballymurphy area will be written large.” “This monument was erected by the republican people of Greater Ballymurphy in proud and loving memory of all those volunteers from the area who their lives in the fight for Irish freedom.” “Unveiled by Gerry Adams 12th May 1985.” “I ndıl cuımhne [chuimhne] ı gcónaı ag na poblachtánaıgh ón cheantar Barr Cluanaı.” “Also in memory of the civilians who died at the hands of the British Army, RUC, UDR and loyalist extremists.” The plaque was featured previously but the surrounding mural, with phoenix and volunteers with lowered rifles, is new. Ballymurphy Road, Belfast.
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Copyright © 2002, 2004 Peter Moloney
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Four IRA volunteers “who gave their lives for Irish freedom”, John Stone, Jim McGrillen, Tommy Tolan, and Michael Kane, eat in the kitchen of a Ballymurphy house, perhaps belonging to one of the “republican activists Kathleen McCullough, Elizabeth McGovern.” The large image of Tolan would later be changed to show him in a brown suit and without the assault rifle – see X05055.
Ballymurphy Crescent, west Belfast.
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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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“Grieve not nor speak of us with tears but laugh and talk of us as though we were beside you”. Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, Belfast brigade, 2nd battalion, B company volunteers Kevin Delaney, Patrick Campbell, Michael Clarke, Anne Parker, and Michael Sloan are shown on patrol in Ballymurphy Parade, the street just to the left of this mural. Campbell was 16 when killed by friendly fire; the oldest at time of death was Delaney, at 26.
Also named on the plaque are “republican activists” Esther Valelly, Theresa Campbell, and Maggie Campbell.
Glenalina Road, Ballymurphy, west Belfast
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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Three plaques above the Sınn Féın office on the Falls Road, Belfast, the first is to 1981 IRA hunger striker Pat “Beag” McKeown, who worked for Sınn Féın and was elected to Belfast City Council until dying in 1993. The other two are to Michael O’Dwyer, Paddy Loughran, and Pat McBride. O’Dwyer had stopped in to the office to register a complaint; Loughran and McBride were Sınn Féın members. All three were shot in February 1992 by RUC constable Alan Moore, who had been suspended the previous day for driving drunk after firing shots over the grave of a deceased colleague; after killing the SF men he drove to Lough Neagh and took his own life with a shotgun. (NYTimes | Independent | For a somewhat different take, see An Phoblacht)
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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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The emblem of Bloody Sunday (in Irish “Domhnach Na Fola”) is a Celtic-style dove (perhaps the NICRA dove) with an oak leaf (representing the city). The earliest presentation in the Collection is five years earlier than this image, from the 25th anniversary.
Rossville Street, Derry
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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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“In proud and loving memory of Vol. Seamus Bradley, killed on active service 31st July 1972. Beırıgí bua.” For (a little) more, see Hegarty And Bradley; for much more, see Volunteer Seamus Bradley.
Central Drive, Creggan, Derry
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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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“On July 31st 2001 two tree were planted on the grounds of Sean Dolan‘s GFC to commemorate Daniel Hegarty (15) and Seamus Bradley (19) murdered by British Troops during Operation Motorman on July 31st 1972.” Both teens were from Creggan. It is alleged that IRA volunteer Bradley was taken away and tortured after being shot; calls for an inquiry continue (Derry Journal | Pensive Quill).
Bligh’s Lane, Derry
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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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Seán Dolan was an IRA and GAA member, a playwright and musician, and fluent in six languages. He died in 1941 after growing ill during 14 months spent interned on the Al Rawdah (Derry Journal). “Fuaır sé bás ar son na hÉıreann.” This memorial plaque is in Bligh’s Lane, Derry.
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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
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“in proud and loving memory of Vol. Eamon (Bronco) Bradley, Derry Brigade, Óglaıgh na hÉıreann, murdered by crown forces [Anglian Regiment] at this spot on 25th August 1982. Tógtha ag pobal an Sean Talaımh.” For background, see this Derry Journal article.
Ard A Chaırn, Doıre
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Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
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