Chains And Bonds Have No Part In Us

“I have no prouder boast to say, I am Irish and have been privileged to fight for the Irish people for Ireland. If I have a duty, I will perform it to the full with the unshakable belief that we are a noble race and the chains and bonds have no part in us.” – Francis Hughes. The ten deceased 1981 hunger strikers along with Frank Stagg and Michael Guaghan are featured in this Navan Street, Armagh, mural. In the centre, between the words of Francis Hughes and a “Youth Against H. Block/Armagh” protester are blanket men Hugh Rooney and Freddie Toal.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Fuaır Sıad Bás Ar Son Saoırse Na hÉıreann

Memorial board to four volunteers from Armagh – Jake McGerrigan (OIRA), Tony Hughes (OIRA), Peadar McElvanna (IRA), Gerard Mallon (INLA). The board is in Culdee Terrace, Armagh, where Hughes was shot by the British Army while moving arms in 1973 (Sutton). There is also a plaque to his memory and a stone commemorating both Hughes and McGerrigan who was killed two days earlier (April 7th, 1973) in nearby Windmill Avenue.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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1st Battalion Doıre Brigade

Óglaıgh na hÉıreann volunteers from the 1st battalion Derry brigade: (l-r) John McDaid, Brian Coyle, Eddie McSheffrey, Patsy Duffy, Jimmy Carr, Gerry Donaghey, Eugine [sic] McGillen [McGillan], Charles English, Jim Movine, Richard Quigley, Barney McFadden, Dennis Heaney, Colm Keenan, Pat Harkin, John Starrs, Eamon[n] Lafferty.

Lecky Road, Brandywell, Derry

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Connolly House

Connolly House, on the Andersonstown Road, Belfast, is the home of Sınn Féın. Connolly’s portrait is on the railings, on the outside wall is the plaque to John/Sean Downes, the roll of honour is on an inside wall (“this plaque was smashed by pro-British elements during an attack on Connolly House in April 2009. Re-erected by Andersonstown Commemoration Committee”).

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Emigration

A bald eagle carrying a medallion reading “Commonwealth of Kentucky. (Dan Boone led the settlers into Kentucky, according to the mural previously in this spot.) United we stand, divided we fall” flies alongside a sailing ship carrying Ulster-Scots emigrants to the United States (the outer jib shows a thistle surrounded by shamrocks).

Abbot Gardens, Newtownards

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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Blair “Paddy” Mayne

Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne was a rugby player, boxer, golfer, and solicitor, and in WWII a commando and one of the first members of the SAS (Special Air Service), participating in raids behind enemy lines in Egypt and Libya (depicted in the board above), and later, as SAS commander, in France, Belgium and other countries. His many decorations, including the DSO (four times) and French Croix De Guerre and Legion D’Honneur, are pictured below. His WP page includes an explanation of the ribbon bars.

Mayne was born in Newtownards and returned there at the end of the war. His statue stands in the town’s Conway Square and this board can be found in Queen Street.

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Copyright © 2010 Peter Moloney
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