O’Neill-Allsopp Memorial Flute Band

Jim O’Neill was killed in February 1976 during an IRA arson attack on a furniture warehouse on the Antrim Road near the New Lodge – Gerry Fitt’s house next door might have been the ultimate target (Belfast Child); Robert Allsopp appears to have accidentally shot himself in March 1975 (Irish Peace Process). Both were members of Na Fıanna. The flute band (Fb) is named in their memory.

Below the portraits of Jim O’Neill and Robert Allsopp is written “Glaıne ınár gcroí, neart ınár ngéaga, beart de reír [réır] ar [ár] mbrıathar.” [Purity in our hearts, strength in our limbs, action consistent with our words]

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Mol An Óıge Agus Tıocfaıdh Sí

“[Youth responds to praise] – the laughter of our children – the joy of our hearts.” A young Bobby Sands is shown in the front right, part of the Stella Maris soccer squad for 1967; he would later “respond” by becoming an IRA volunteer and hunger striker.

The plaque to the hunger strikers was originally on the left of the previous ‘1798’ mural, and the plaque to the deceased from the “greater Newington area” was embedded in it – see M03672.

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Free The POWs

2011 image of the historical republican POW mural in Ludlow Square, New Lodge, Belfast, seen previously in 1997 and 2010.

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The People’s President

Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness was nominated by the party to stand for President Of Ireland. He garnered 13.7% of first preference votes and finished third to winner Michael D. Higgins (WP). For the hunger strikers metalwork, see M03118.

At the former Andytown RUC barracks.

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Cogús

Cogús [conscience] is the POW-support organisation of the RNU (web). On the left is a blanketman, on the right is a contemporary POW being beaten by a prison guard in riot gear. “Make a difference – Join RNU – Be committed, stand as one – Implement 12th August Agreement – End strip searches – End controlled movement.”

Berwick Road, Ard Eoın.

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Towards A New Republic – I dTreo Poblacht Nua

Sınn Féın’s 2011 ard fheıs (annual conference) was held in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

Falls Road/Glen Road, west Belfast.

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Fáılte Go Dtí West Belfast

A new Fáılte Feırste Thıar mural is being painted below Divis tower that will serve as a transition from the city centre to (CNR) west Belfast.

Below, an even earlier shot of the work in progress from 2011-05-27.

For the completed mural, see the entry at Peter Moloney Collection – Murals.

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Coıllte Bhéal Feırste

In 1992, the Forest Of Belfast project was started, a public-private to preserve old trees and encourage tree-planting. Above is one of the murals painted to publicise the effort, on Hillman Street at the Antrim Road. (Another was painted on the Falls Road.)

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Understand The Past

“Understand the past – and build a better future, le cheıle, “Catholic, Protestant, and Dissenter” – Wolfe Tone”. The past that is to be understood is the 40th anniversary of the Battle Of St Matthew’s (“Cath Naomh Máıtıú” in the “4” on the left) which took place in June 1970. Two Protestants and a Catholic died; the battle was a founding moment in the history of the Provisional IRA (“Óglaıgh na hÉıreann” in the “0”) (WP). St Matthew’s church is depicted on the right.

In the centre is a Tricolour with a modified version of the ‘raised arms’ illustration of ‘everyone has their part to play’ (e.g. Emancipation Of Women has a paintbrush, hammer, and book in addition to a rifle; one in Derry has paintbrush, spanner, coloured pencils (at the end of a shorter arm), rifle, book, and placard – see The Destructive Talents Of The RUC). Here we have a dove – perhaps in place of the rifle – pencil, and spanner.

For information about the 2010 launch, see Glór Mhıc Aırt.

Mountpottinger Road, east Belfast.

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Naomh Éanna

Naomh Éanna (St Enda) Gaelic Athletic Club is located in Glengormley and fields teams in football, hurling, and camogie. The grounds now also host a naíscoıl, which was opened in 2004, with a bunscoıl following in 2007.

The motto is in pre-Caıghdeán Irish: “Neart ın ár lámhaıbh [= lámh], fírınne ın ár dteangthaıbh [= dteangacha], agus glaıne ın ár gcroíthe.”

“Urraıthe ag Foras Na Gaeılge.”

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