plaque

Gerard McDade

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“In proud and loving memory of Vol. Gerard [Gerald] McDade, Belfast Brigade, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. Murdered by British Crown Forces 21st December 1971, aged 23 years. NÍ dhéanfaıdh muıd dearmad [gur] fuaır sé bás ar son saoırse na hÉıreann. Remember Our Volunteers Committee, 17th December 2011.”

McDade was staff captain of 3rd battalion. He was stopped on foot in Ardoyne (where he is also remembered) and was shot while trying to run off (Belfast Child). This plaque, in Beechmount Road, was mounted for the fortieth anniversary of his death.

The plaque is on the whitewashed gable that was previously the site of a mural to volunteers Liam “Bulmer” McParland, Billy Carson, Liam Mulholland, and Sean Doyle – see Ballymurphy Resistance.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M08882

Shankill Bombings

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A small engraved plaque showing the shop-front of Frizzell’s fish shop has been added to the memorial on the Shankill Road. The upper tablet was seen previously in Frizzell’s.

Another such engraving can be found on the Mountainview Bar/Tavern, commemorating the 1975 bombing and gun attack there in which five people were killed and 60 injured (WP).

Three more Shankill bombings are commemorated in Shankill Atrocities.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M10237 [M10238] [M10239]
M10236

Cumann Pobaıl Mhachaıre Botháın

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These plaques are on the front of Cumann Pobaıl Mhachaıre Botháın/Marrowbone Community Association, in memory of two long-time community-workers.

“Teach Christine. Erected in memory of Christine (Bap) Beattie, a dedicated friend and community worker to all in this area.”

“Máırtın Ó Dochartaıgh 1968-2011. Is cuma mura mbím beo ach lá agus oíche amháın fad agus go mbíonn lomrá [ıomrá] ar mo chuıd eachtraí ı mo dhıadh. [It is of no matter whether I live only a single day and night so long as my endeavours gain repute after I am gone.] Máırtín will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues in the youth and community organisations in the Marrowbone and across Belfast.”

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M10131 M10130

The New Lodge Six

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“In memory of Jim Sloan and James McCann, killed near this spot by British forces on the night of 3rd/4th February 1973. Always remembered by the people of the New Lodge Road.”

“In memory of Tony (T.C.) Campbell, Brendan Maguire, John Loughran and Ambrose Hardy, killed near this spot by British forces on the night of 3rd/4th February 1973. Always remembered by the people of the New Lodge Road.”

Two of the New Lodge Six (James Sloan, James McCann) were killed by the UDA outside a bar and four (Tony ‘TC’ Campbell, Ambrose Hardy, Brendan Maguire, John Loughran) were among the crowd that gathered, killed by British Army snipers from their positions on top of the flats, using night-vision sights, February 3rd-4th, 1973.

New Lodge Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M10138 M10141

Nó Chun Báıs A Fháıl

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“Tıonaladh [tıonóladh] óglaıgh na hÉıreann ıns an halla seo seachtaın na Casca 1916 ullmhaıthe chun troda ar son saoırse tíre nó chun báıs a fháıl dá mba gá é. [Irish volunteers were assembled in this hall in Easter week 1916, and were readied for a fight for the country’s freedom, or to die, should it be necessary.] This plaque is erected to commemorate the assembly of Irish volunteers in this hall Easter 1916 prepared to give their lives for Irish freedom.”

For the story of the aborted role of the northern volunteers, see Treason Felony.

Barrack Street, Coalisland.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M10024

¡No Pasarán!

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“¡No pasarán! In memory of the International Brigades and the men from Derry, Donegal & Tyrone who served in the struggle against fascism in defence of the Spanish Republic 1936 – 38. I measc laochra lucht oıbre go raıbh a n-aınm – May their names [name] be among the heroes of labour. Erected by the North West Spanish Civil War Project, July 2013.”

The plaque is on the Unite building in Carlisle Road, Derry.

The IRSP board is in Fahan Street. It names Thomas Traynor, John Murphy, Benjamin Frederick Murray, Eamon McGrotty, George Gorman, Jack Flynn, James Donald, Peadar O’Donnell, James Campbell, Hugh O’Donnell, Paddy O’Daire, Joseph Kelly, Paddy Roe McLaughling, Francis William Vincent O’Donnell, Brian Goold-Verschoyle, Paddy Glacken, Phil Boyle, Hugh Bonner, Herbert Pollock, Charles McGuinness, William McChrystal, Joe Boyd.

For brief biographies of those named, see Ireland Spanish Civil War.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
[M10052] M10053 M10054 [M10054a] M10258

Robert Dougan

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Robert Dougan was commander of the UDA South Belfast Brigade and lived the Oranmore Drive (BelTel). He was killed by the IRA on February 10th, 1998 while sitting in a car outside Balmoral Textiles in Dunmurry, which led to a month-long expulsion of Sinn Féin from the talks (L.A. Times); two months later the Good Friday Agreement was signed. There had been attempts on his life in 1993 and 1994 (Irish Times).

Tildarg Avenue, Suffolk, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M09540 [M09539] M09438

McConomy

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This is a new plaque to Stephen McConomy in Fahan Street, Derry, which includes the death of his mother, Maria “Mia” McConomy in July 2008 (Find A Grave). (For the previous plaque, see M03363)

“Stephen McConomy (a child of 11 years) Murdered by a plastic bullet aged 11 years on 16th April 1982. Always remembered by his loving brothers, family and late mother. May they both rest in peace.”

See also: Civil Order.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
M09425

The Egyptian Arch Ambush

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“Tógtha ar an 90ú comóradh de luíochán na hÁırse Éıgıptıgh/Erected on the 90th anniversary of the Epytian Arch Ambush. I gcuımhne [ar] Óglaıgh/In memory of Óglaıgh William Canning, John Francis O’Hare, Peter Shields, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. A maríodh iad, agus ıad sa tóır ar Phoblacht na hÉıreann, ag Forsaí Choróın na Breataıne/Who were killed by the British Crown Forces in the pursuit of an Irish Republic. “The republic stands for truth and honour. For that is the noblest in our race. By truth and honour, principle and sacrifice alone will Ireland be free.” – Liam Mellows.”

The ambush was on the night of December 12/13th, 1920; Canning died at that time, Shields on the 25th, and O’Hare the following July. Here is an account from Republican News; testimony can be found in the Military Archives.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
[M09410] M09411