Remember The Hunger Strikers

These are images from 2012 of the ‘My brother is not a criminal’ memorial in Ford’s Cross/Silverbridge, seen previously in 2006.

As the second image shows, earlier hunger strikers are also remembered: Thomas Ashe 1917, Michael Fitzgerald, Joseph Murphy, Terence McSwiney 1920, Joseph Whitty, Denis Barry, Andy Sullivan 1923, Tony Darcy, Sean McNeela 1940, Sean McCaughey 1946, Michael Gaughan 1974, Frank Stagg 1976.

The gallery of twelve hunger strikers in ‘Remember the hunger strikers’ is further up the road, towards Cullyhanna.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Cullyhanna Memorials

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.”

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Burns & Moley

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.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Na Staılceoırí Ocraıs

“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

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Óglach Réamonn Mac Raoıs

“Go luath ına shaol thuıg Réamonn nach mbaınfeadh muıntır na hÉıreann an tsaoırse ná an cothrom amach go dtí gur cuıreadh ar na Sasanaıgh déıleáıl go hoscaılte gan claonadh lenár n-ıonadaıthe. Chuaıgh Réamonn ı gcomhar leıs na Fıanna Éıreann in 1973 …”

A pair of boards describing the life of IRA volunteer and 1981 hunger striker Raymond McCreesh in both English and Irish are mounted on the railings at Raymond McCreesh Park, in Patrick Street, Newry.

For the controversy over naming the playground after McCreesh, see Páırc Réamoınn Mac Raoıs.

The same pair of boards were also mounted at the McCreesh memorial in Camlough.

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Political Internees

“Free Marian Price – political internee.” “Release Martin Corey now!”

For Price, see Free Marian Price. Martin Corey was returned to prison in 2010 and a 2011 commission ruled that he was a member of the CIRA (WPBelfast Telegraph).

[An appeal – on the grounds that evidence had been withheld – was rejected in December, 2012.]

Camlough Road, Newry; Bell Steele Road, Belfast; Glen Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Vol. Kevin Lynch

“Vol. Kevin Lynch, born Park 25rg May 1956, died – Long Kesh 1st August 1981 after 71 days on hunger strike “I’ll wear no convicts uniform” Go ndéana Dıa trócaıre ar a anam uasal.”

“Erected by Counties Derry & Antrim Commemorative Committee. Unveiled by Raymond McCartney MLA on 24th May 2009.”

A painting of the monument is included in the Kevin Lynch mural in Dungiven.

Learmount Road, Park

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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Civil And Religious Liberty

Two PUL banners are added to the internment bonfire in Divis: the upper one says “East Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force”, while the latter reads “Shankill Protestant Boys [Fb] USSF Ulsters No 1 flute band.” On the top is a Drumcree Orange Order flag: “Civil and religious liberty”; “Here we stand, we can do no other”.

Divis Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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