Ballymurphy Mural Project

Introduction

The Ballymurphy Mural Project 2001-2002 added eight murals to previously unpainted walls in Ballymurphy, in CNR west Belfast.

Their common theme was honouring members of the community who had died during the Troubles, both as paramilitary volunteers and as activists. (As such, the new murals complemented the 2000 murals to Paddy Teer (see M01655) and Pat ‘Beag’ McGeown (see M01652).)

A single mural was launched in 2001; the remaining seven were launched at a large event on May 26th, 2002. A lorry trailer was parked at the top of the Rock from which the honoured guests gave their speeches, to a crowd that completely blocked the Springfield Road and the grass under the electrical pylon. Around the perimeter, t-shirts and CDs were for sale, as well as cold treats from an ice-cream van.

In his remarks, Gerry Adams said “we are proud to have known these people” even though the IRA’s armed activity had largely ceased in 1994 and the Agreement had been signed in 1998. That is, the Project was a bulwark against any revisionism that might wish to say that the armed struggle had been a mistake. Similarly, Crowley (2022) contextualises the Mural Project as Sınn Féın message-setting at a time of anxiety over de-commissioning of IRA weapons.

After the speeches, the assembled walked around Beechmount and witnessed the unveilings (of the plaque associated with each mural) by a relative or friend of someone portrayed.

(Here is a folder with the booklet handed out on the day, which gives the names of the unveilers as well as profiles of those portrayed. The cover shows an old photograph from an IRA show-of-strength but the subtitle is “ı ndıl choımhne [sic] ár gcomrádaıthe” – “in fond memory of our comrades”.)

Images

2001-06-03 Jim Bryson & Patrick Mulvenna

(X00053)

2002-05-26 John Stone, Jim McGrillen, Tommy Tolan, Michael Kane. With Kathleen McCullough, Elizabeth McGovern. As can be seen below, many of the volunteers in the murals appear in army fatigues and carrying weapons. Something about the looming figure of Tolan in the foreground, however, drew criticism and his portrait was quickly changed to show him in a brown suit and without any weapon.

(M01649)
(D01733)

2002-05-26 Cumann Na mBan: Maura Meehan, Anne Marie Pettigrew, Dorothy Maguire, Eileen Mackin, Catherine (Cathy) McGartland, Anne Parker.

(M01660)

2002-05-26 Jimmy Quigley, Eamonn McCormick, Teddy O’Neill, Michael Magee. With Alice Franklin, Mary Fegan.

(M01648)

2002-05-26 Kevin Delaney, Patrick Campbell, Michael Clarke, Anne Parker, Michael Sloan.

(M01644)

2002-05-26 Edward ‘Mundo’ O’Rawe, Robert McCrudden, Pearse Jordan.

(M02978)

2002-05-26 Liam “Bulmer” McParland, Billy Carson, and Sean Doyle, with Liam Mulholland in the background. With Rosaleen Russell, Annie Adams, Kathleen Moore, Frankie Toner.

(M01646)

2002-05-26 John Stone, Jason McWilliams, Kevin McCracken, John Dougal. With Annie McWilliams, Mary Austin, Kathleen Clarke.

(M01658)

References in parentheses to mural collections:
D = squire93@hotmail.com collection
M = Peter Moloney Collection – Murals
X = Seosamh Mac Coılle Collection

Written material copyright © 2023-2025 Extramural Activity. Images are copyright of their respective photographers.

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