IRA

The Ghosts Of The Martyrs

2018-08-282024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“In proud and loving memory of all local volunteers, prisoners of war, republican activists and the unsung heroes who died of natural causes having served the cause of Irish republicanism [“sean óglach” on the individual plaques]. Together in unity you formed a bond which gave true meaning to the undefeated risen people. Your deeds of bravery and resistance will never be forgotten by the people of greater St. James’s. In your honour the quest for Irish freedom continues.” With the famous “our steps will be onward” quote from Máire Drumm at an anti-internment rally in Dunville Park on 10th August, 1975 (RN). Coıste Cuımhneacháın Lár Na bhFál/Ard Na bhFeá [Memorial committee of mid-Falls/Beechmount]. For some more of the plaques, see The Unsung Heroes.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2011 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05152 [X05153] [X05154] X05155 X05156

Brıogáıd Dhoıre

2018-07-192024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Linsfort Drive (Creggan) memorial garden (see M02663 and M02775) is featured in the centre of this board of IRA volunteers from the 2nd battalion of the Derry Brigade. There are two similarly designed boards to the 1st battalion in Westland Street and in Lecky Road.

Below is a fresh “IRA” nail-up in Central Drive.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04340 X04341

Killed In Action

2018-07-092024-12-27Extramural Activity4 Comments

“Killed in action” (on the mural) or “on active service” (on the plaque) often means killed by a bomb exploding prematurely, as in the case of Finbarr McKenna, who died in Crocus Street intending to attack the RUC station on the Springfield Road at Violet Street. Here is an account of McKenna’s death from a British soldier. Lost Lives estimates that as many as 163 volunteers (9% of the total killed by the IRA) died from premature explosions. Footage of McKenna’s funeral appears in the (Sınn Féın-produced) account of Larry Marley’s funeral.

The plaque dates back to at least 2004.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04992 In memory of IRA Volunteer Finbarr McKenna who died on active service in Crocus St. 2nd May 1987. Erected by the Greater Clonard Ex-Prisoners Association.

Here To Stay

2018-07-042024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The wall of the Royal (on the Falls just above Springfield Road) continues to serve as a prime spot for graffiti. “IRA – here to stay” is connected with the recent controversy over “IRA” lettering and an assault rifle (Belfast Live) mounted on flagposts both here (Irish News) and on Divis Street (see Life In The Old Dogs Yet).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04991 [X04990]

McLarnan, McCabe, Doherty

2018-06-242024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Dedicated to the memory of INLA volunteer Matt McLarnon, Nora McCabe and Peter Doherty who were murdered in this area by British state forces during the 1981 H-Block hunger strike. A Mhuıre banríon na nGael guí ar a son”. The area in question is Clonard/Falls. Doherty and McCabe were hit by plastic bullets; McLarnon was shot by a sniper on Divis tower. Erected by a Sınn Féın group (Lower Falls/Clonard Committee) rather than INLA. Linden Street, Belfast.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04989

32 Or Nothing

2018-05-292024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This poster, which is all over the lower Falls, is in response to recent Gerry Adams interviews, one with Peter Taylor, in which he told dissidents to “Go away”, and aninterview with Andrew Marr where Adams said that the IRA is gone: “We are not going anywhere, Gerry. 32 [county Ireland] or nothing … the IRA.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04953 X04961

2018-01-262024-12-27Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Here is a final small board from Derry/Doıre reproducing or at least hearkening back classic images of the armed republican campaign. This one shows a hooded volunteer brandishing an assault rifle. Previously: Sniper At Work | Join The People’s Army | Beır Bua | Behind Bars | éıstıgí | IRA

In the background is an “End internment” IRPWA (prisoner welfare) board.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04289

Unfinished Business

2017-10-292024-12-26Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The “Unfinished revolution – unfinished business” board at the top of Westland Street (featured in a 2016 post) has been updated in various ways: the year has been changed to “2017” and “Join the IRA” added in stencil. Around the board “IRA” and “Smash Stormont” graffiti has been added.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04294

Resurfacing

2017-10-182024-12-26Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Here are three pieces of republican graffiti from Creggan, in various states of legibility: “Join IRA now!!!”, “End political policing now. INLA”, and “Hood’s [sic] will be shot”.

If You Strike Us Down Now, We Shall Rise Again

2017-10-142024-12-26Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“[I assume that I am speaking to Englishmen who value their freedom, and who profess to be fighting for the freedom of Belgium and Serbia [in WWI].] Believe that we too love freedom and desire it. To us it is more than anything else in the world. If you strike us down now, we shall rise again and renew the fight. You cannot conquer Ireland; you cannot extinguish the Irish passion for freedom. If our deed has not been sufficient to win freedom, then our children will win it by a better deed – Gen. P. H. Pearse” at his court martial in 1916.

Here are eight images of the memorial plaques to deceased Ardoyne IRA fianna and ógliagh fromt he 1970s: David McAuley, Joseph Campbell, Joseph McComiskey, Bernard Fox, Charles McCann, Seamus Cassidy, Trevor McKibbin, James McDade, Gerard McDade, James Reid, Terry Toolan, Brian Smyth, Paddy McAdorey, Denis Brown, Jim Mulvenna, Jackie Mailey, Frankie Donnelly, Laurence Montgomery.