stone

South Down Command

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“This monument is dedicated to all those from the South Down locality who lost their lives or played a part in the fight for Irish freedom. Fuaır sıad bas [bás] ar son saoırse na heıreann [hÉıreann]”: [IRA volunteers] Peter McNulty, James Carlin, Martin Curran, Leo O’Hanlon, Vivien Fitzsommons, Alphonsus Cunningham, Pauline Kane, Paul Magorrian, Francis Rice, and Colum Marks, who is also included in a north Down memorial.

With adjacent stencil from anti-Agreement republicans: “Restore political status”

South Square, Castlewellan

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Na hÓglaıgh A Fuaır Bás I nDún Pádraıg

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“I ndıl chuımhne ar na hÓglaıgh a fuaır bás ar son na hÉıreann: an tÓglach Colm Marks, a maríodh san áıt seo [who was killed at this spot] 10-4-1991 agus na hÓglaıgh eıle a fuaır bás ı nDún Pádraıg”. Marks was killed in an alleged shoot-to-kill incident in 1991 (An Phoblacht).

Others killed in Downpatrick include Seamus Blaney, James Carlin, Dickie Curran, Leo Hanlon, Vivienne Fitzsimons, and – a new, historical, addition – Thomas Russell “the man from God knows where” and United Irishman who was hanged and beheaded outside Downpatrick jail in 1803 for his part in the rising.

“The fools, the fools, they have left us our fenian dead and while Ireland holds these graves Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.” [Padraig Pearse’s oration at the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa in 1915]

“Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann An Dún Theas” [North Down IRA]

St Patrick’s Avenue, Downpatrick

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Set In Stone

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Ulster’s solemn league and covenant is engraved on a stone on the plaza in front of St Mark’s, Market Street, Portadown.

“The above was signed by me at Portadown “Ulster Day” Saturday 28th September 1912″

“Erected by the people of Portadown in diamond jubilee year 2012. God save the queen.”

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Ideals

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A tarp is added to the Ardoyne memorial garden putting the 12 deceased hunger strikers from the modern Troubles alongside those who were executed for their part in the Easter Rising. “The ideals behind the Proclamation, the Easter Rising and the hunger strikes are the ideals which drive Sınn Féın today, social equality, economic and political freedom and the believe [sic] that all the people of the island should benefit from the labour of the island. It is for this reason that this signatories, the hunger strikers and the thousands of others gave their lives.”

For the cross, see 2002.

Berwick Road, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Remember Us

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Lamentations for the “killed, wounded, missing” among “the west Belfast volunteers who formed in this area”, verse 1:16 in English on the right pillar commemorating the 36th (Ulster) Division – “For these things do I weep/My eyes flow with tears” – and in Irish on the damaged left pillar commemorating the 10th & 16th Irish Divisions – “Seo iad cúis mo chaointe/No [Na?] deora le mo shuile” (the 1981 Bíobla Naofa translation is “Sin an fáth a mbím ag caoi/Agus ag sileadh na súl go fuíoch”).

“‘Remember us who gave our silent dreams within the noise of battle’s thunder/Remember us who have our hopes on golden fields once truly filled with wonder/Remember us who near Thiepval Wood because we could gave our lives own future/Remember us who at eternity’s edge are new born this day between thoughts of sacrifice and loss/Remember us, remember us’ – James Logan, Somme, July 1916”

Ballygomartin Drive, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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John Mitchel

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“John Mitchel 1815-1875. He took a prominent role in leading Ireland to be an independent nation.”

Mitchel was born near Dungiven but at age 8 the family moved to Newry, where Mitchel was schooled before entering Trinity College Dublin at age 15 (WP).

For his political life, see the post on the statue of Mitchel in downtown Newry.

Armagh Road, Newry

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Beıdh An Bua Agaınn Go Fóıll

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“Tógadh an leacht cuımhneacháın seo ag muıntır an cheantar ı gcuımhne an Óglaıgh [Óglach] Réamonn Mac Raoıs a fuaır bás ar an 21 Bealtaıne 1981 ı ndıaıdh lá agus seasca ar staılc ocraıs sna H-Blocanna. Rugadh Réamonn ar an 15 Feabhra 1957 ag Páırc Naomh Maolmhaodhóg. … Seasann an deıch gcrann atá curtha taobh thıar den leacht chuımhneacháın do na fıréın [fíréın].”

“This monument was erected by the people of the area in memory of IRA Volunteer Raymond McCreesh who died on May 21st 1981 after 61 days on hunger strike in the British H-Block prison at Long Kesh. Raymond McCreesh was born on February 25th 1957 at St Malachy’s Park, Camloch. … The ten trees planted behind the monument represent the ten men who died in the H-Blocks in 1981.”

There is a mural to McCreesh on the gable of Teach Réamoınn Mhıc Raoıs – see Keep On Marching.

Newry Rd, Camlough

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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Topper Thompson

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“In memory of Topper Thompson, murdered by British death squads, 27th April 1994, aged 25. Deeply missed but never forgotten. Erected by his friends.” Paul ‘Topper’ Thompson was killed by the UDA on April 27th, 1994. Collusion is alleged – see Relatives For Justice.

Springfield Park, Belfast

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Copyright © 2011 Peter Moloney
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