Manchester Martyrs

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The Manchester Martyrs – IRB members William Philip Allen, Michael Larkin, and Michael O’Brien – were publicly hanged on November 23rd, 1867, for the killing of a Manchester policeman, Charles Brett. Brett was inside a prison van carrying two IRB leaders when it was set upon by 30 or more people (depicted at the top of the mural). The attendant escort fled, leaving Brett inside; he was killed by a bullet fired into the lock. Five people were convicted, one of whom, O’Meagher Condon, shouted “God save Ireland” during the trial – this was turned into an extremely popular song in memory of the three (Wolfe Tones version). Their graves were discovered in 2003 (Irish Times) and a campaign was waged to repatriate their corpses (Sınn Féın).

Divis Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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Cláraıgh Le Sınn Féın

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These two “Join Sınn Féın” boards are above the Sınn Féın office on the Falls Road, Belfast. “Don’t wish for a united Ireland, work for it.”The second, with portraits of Pearse, Carney, and Sands, is an example of the Irish-language rights campaign which becomes a central policy around this time: Is í athgabháıl na Gaeılge athgabháıl na hÉıreann [the repossession of Irish is the repossession of Ireland]. (See previously Cearta Teanga, Cearta Daonna.)

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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Loyalist Eden

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The village of Eden is being absorbed by an expanding Carrickfergus, famous for the castle shown in the UDA board in the first image.  King William’s True Blues flute band (KWTB) amalgamated with the South East Antrim Defenders. Sources are few but it seems that SEA Defenders disbanded in 2007 but was re-established in 2010. (See previously 2004.)

Larne Road, Eden

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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God Save Our Queen

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This is a two-sided piece of road-work on Main Road, in Glynn, that can be approached from either direction. Heading north (towards Larne) you see “God save our queen” and going south (towards Magheramorne and Whitehead) “No surrender 1690” with Orange Order symbols crown, key, and ladder, and a list of Williamite battles: Derry, Enniskillen, Boyne, Aughrim.

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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