plaque

Cullyhanna Memorials

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Three Cullyhanna memorials:

Top: “During the hunger-strike of 1981, in which ten men died, the Holy Rosary was recited here [on Freeduff Road], daily, by the community of Cullyhanna, to highlight the suffering of all the women and men in Armagh Gaol and Long Kesh, described by the late Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiach, a native of Cullyhanna, as being “worse than the sewers of Calcutta”. Go ndéana Dıa trócaıre ar a n-anam. Unveiled on the 8th July, 2001 by former hunger-striker, Paddy Quinn.”

Middle: The central panel is to Brendan Moley, Kevin Caherty, Michael McVerry, Brendan Burns, Fergal Caraher. Flanking this is a a longer list of volunteers, in English (left) and Irish (right). McVerry, Boyle, Jordan, McKiernan, Lochrie, Campbell, Cleary, Harvey, McElvanna, Caherty, McCreesh, Moley, Burns, Caraher, Duffy, Martin, Daly, Watters, Toner, Rogers. With smaller plaques to Tom Rooney & John Caraher, and to Brian Keenan.

Bottom: An individual memorial to “Vol Francis Caraher, Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann, murdered by British soldiers at this spot [on Tullyvallen Road] on 30th December 1990, aged 20 years.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08798 [M08797]
M08800 [M08799] [M08801] [M08802] [M08803] [M08804] [M08805] [M08806] [M08807] [M08808] [M08809]
M08810c [M08811]

Burns & Moley

Extramural Activity1 Comment

Two images from Creggan, Co. Armagh (near Crossmaglen). First, the memorial to “Brendan Burns, Carnally, 1958-1988” and “Brendan Moley, Dorsey, 1958-1998” “who died here on active service on the 29th February 1988 – fuaır sıad bás ar son na saoırse.” (Tribute from RN.) A Celtic warrior with a spear stands in front of a Janus statue. “South Armagh Sınn Féın Cumann.”

Below, “restore political status”. Both are on Donaldson’s Road.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08795 [M08794] [M08796] M08793

Na Staılceoırí Ocraıs

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Erected by the local people to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the hunger strikers. I ndıl chuımhne ar na staılceoırí ocraıs a fuaır bás ar son na h-Éıreann 1981. In loving memory of the hunger strikers who died for Ireland in 1981.” With a small blanketman illustration.

Kilmorey Street, Newry

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08792

Active Service

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“In memory of IRA volunteers Gerard Crossan, Tom McCann, Tony Lewis, John [Sean] Johnston, who died while on active service on the 9th March 1972 at 32 Clonard St. Erected by the Greater Clonard Ex-Prisoners Association.” The four died in a premature explosion (“active service”) presumably at the home of Lewis, who lived in Clonard Street. Crossan and Johnston were 19, McCann and Lewis were 20 (The Troubles 11).

Clonard Street, Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08766

Jim Stranney

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Jim Stranney, republican and socialist, 1915-1938, fought and died in the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939. ‘You were of the people and for the people your life was laid.’ No pasarán. Erected by Teach Na Fáılte [INLA ex-prisoners] & The Belfast Cultural and Local History Group.” Stranney was killed in an assault on a fascist position near Gandesa on July 30th or 31st, 1938 (Belfast Media | tw). For a brief biography see CarltonBooks.

Above the door of 10 John Street, Belfast, which is perhaps where his parents lived.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08640

Four Step Inn

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Fourstep Inn, bombed 10.20 pm Wednesday 29th September 1971, 2 people [Alexander Andrews and Ernest Bates] killed”,

The plaque is on what is now the Northern Ireland Supporters Club, on the Shankill Road at Lanark Way. The pub was full of Linfield supporters watching the 2nd leg of the match against Standard Liège – 27 more people were injured in the blast (Irish Times).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M05501

Mol An Óıge Agus Tıocfaıdh Sí

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Praise youth and it will respond – the laughter of our children – the joy of our hearts.” A young Bobby Sands is shown in the front right, part of the Stella Maris soccer squad for 1967; he would later “respond” by becoming an IRA volunteer and hunger striker.

The hunger strikers plaque was previously to the left of the (previous) mural; out of picture is another plaque, to the deceased from the “greater Newington area” – see Out Of The Ashes Of 1798.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08605 [M08606] [M08607] [M08608] [M08609] [M08610]

The War Of Liberation

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“If you remove the English army tomorrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organization of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain. England would still rule you. She would rule you through her capitalists, through her landlords, through her financiers, through the whole array of commercial and individualist institutions she has planted in this country and watered with the tears of our mothers and the blood of our martyrs. – James Connolly” in the 1897 piece “Socialism And Nationalism“. Connolly’s thought is that – even in a self-governing republic – nationalism is not enough to establish an authentically Irish state; socialism is also required.

“This plaque is dedicated to the men and women of the socialist republican movement, many of whom lost their lives and many more their freedom whilst incarcerated during the war of liberation. Their sacrifices and selflessness will forever be remembered. Erected by Newry Socialist Republicans.”

Camlough Road, Newry

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08517 [M08581] [M08519]

Oh Lonely Winds

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh a n-aınmeacha … [twelve dead hunger strikers] … ‘Oh lonely winds that walk the night to haunt the sinners oul, pray pity me a wretched lad who never will grow old, pray pity those who lie in pain, the bondsman and the slave, and whisper sweet the breath of God upon my humble grave’ – Bobby Sands [Weeping Winds poem]. Erected by McCreesh–McCabe Cumann on 17th March 2002″

Forkhill Road, Mullaghbane

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
[M08476] M08477

Colin Area Roll Of Remembrance

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Local IRA volunteers are commemorated in multiple stones in the Twinbrook memorial garden. On the main wall – which is a new addition – are listed Sean Keenan, Michael Ferguson, Lily Campbell, Mary Keenan, Eddie Keenan, Mary McKee, Hugh McKee. On the obelisk on the left (see previously Twinbrook & Poleglass IRA) are Gerard Fennell, John Rooney, Bobby Sands, Frankie Ryan. On the stone to the right – which was previously outside the railings (see M03008) – are the twelve deceased Troubles-era hunger strikers.

“The day will dawn when the people of Ireland will show this desire for freedom. It’s then we will see the rising of the moon. [– Bobby Sands’s prison diary]”

“I have sacrificed for the republic all that man holds dear – my wife, my children, my liberty, my life. – Wolfe Tone”

“The road for suffering is paved with suffering, hardships and torture, carry on my gallant and brave comrades until that certain day. – Tom Williams”

“I too have fought for my freedom not only in captivity but also outside where my country is held captive. I have the spirit of freedom that cannot be quenched. [– Bobby Sands]”

“This monument has been re-dedicated by the people of Twinbrook and Poleglass in honour of those volunteers of Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann who gave their lives for Irish freedom.”

Gardenmore Road, Twinbrook, Dunmurry

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
M08450 M08446 M08447 M08448 M08449 [M08451] [M08452] [M08453] [M08454] M08455 [M08456] [M08457]