four provinces

Now As The Dawn Is Breaking

Extramural Activity1 Comment

“Joseph Plunkett & Grace Gifford – their final embrace & farewell.” May 4th is the anniversary of the execution of Joseph Plunkett, one of the planners of the Easter Rising in 1916. Seven hours before he faced the firing squad, he married Grace Gifford. The photograph is from a re-enactment for a 1966 RTÉ programme Insurrection (RTÉ). The ballad Grace, written by Seán and Frank O’Meara in 1985, is now internationally known (here is Jim McCann’s 1985 performance).

This is one of various recent additions to the many memorials in Ard An Lao, Béal Feirste/Ardilea, Belfast. This replaces the board seen in Continuing Their Legacy.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 1200)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/120, ISO 16, full size 3024 x 4032

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 1200)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/60, ISO 16, full size 3024 x 4032

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 1200)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/428, ISO 20, full size 3024 x 4032

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/209, ISO 16, full size 4032 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x749)
Copyright © 2023 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/941, ISO 20, full size 4032 x 2517
X12170 [X12169] X12168 X12171 X12172 X12173
“Just before Joseph’s execution by British forces in Kilmainham gaol on Thursday May 4th, 1916”

The People’s Monument

Extramural Activity1 Comment

In August (2022), Saoradh Doire (web) and the Derry IRPWA (web) unveiled a new memorial to the Derry Brigade IRA/Briogáid Dhoire Óglaigh Na hÉireann on the green at the Fahan Street turn which it is calling “the people’s monument” (Derry Now) perhaps in parallel with the series of murals by the Bogside Artists called “the people’s gallery” (Visual History page).

In the centre is a Derry Brigade roll of honour with 42 names; on the left is a role of remembrance of naturally-deceased óglaigh and activists, including Geordie McGilloway who worked on the nearby hunger strike memorial (An Phoblacht); on the right is a list of the deceased twentieth century hunger strikers, beginning with Thomas Ashe.

“This monument is dedicated to the people of Derry City who have resisted & still resist the occupation of our country by Britain. We acknowledge with pride the sacrifices they made throughout every decade. Their names would be too numerous to mention & their deeds of bravery & resistance unequaled in the history of our struggle. The republican movement of Derry City salute you and your families. Your reward will only be a united Ireland.”

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1000 x 750)
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02112 T02111

Believe In Your Dreams

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Here is a complete set of images from the Bogside end of the Brandywell. From left to right: street art by NOYS (ig) for Gasyard Féile 2022, Long Tower Community Centre (see Brandywell Past And Present), a new “Brandywell” stencil by Peaball (ig), the Ryan McBride Foundation (tw), a new version of the Derry Brigade IRA mural (see previously Briogáid Dhoire), Peaball and local youth at work, various pieces of wild-style writing and graffiti in support of Jason Ceulemans.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 696)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.2, 1/900, ISO 200, full size 3876 x 2248

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 766)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f4.5, 1/850, ISO 400, full size 3808 x 2432

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 722)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.8, 1/850, ISO 200, full size 4000 x 2408

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 803)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.8, 1/680, ISO 200, full size 3952 x 2643

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 622)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f3.6, 1/850, ISO 400, full size 4000 x 2072

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f4, 1/950, ISO 400, full size 4000 x 3000

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.5, 1/800, ISO 200, full size 4000 x 3000

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.2, 1/800, ISO 400, full size 4000 x 3000

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 731)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.5, 1/220, ISO 100, full size 4000 x 2436

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 652)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.8, 1/850, ISO 400, full size 4000 x 2172

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 661)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2, 1/850, ISO 200, full size 4000 x 2204
X10953 [X10954] X10952 X10951 [X10950] [X10949] X10948 [X10947] X10943 X10944 [X10945] [X10946] X10942 X10941 X10940 X10939 X10938

Saoirse Go Deo

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Saturday will be the 51st anniversary of Michael Devine’s death, the last of the ten strikers to die in the 1981 strike. This mural was painted last year during lockdown for the 50th anniversary.

“Vol Mickey Devine, Derry Brigade, INLA. In memory of Michael Devine “Red Micky” H-Block martyr, died 20th August 1981 after 60 days without food. Remembered with pride by his family, friends and comrades. ‘They have served their British masters, the poor pathetic fools, they think that inhumanity and cruelty can break us, haven’t they learnt anything? It strengthens us, it drives us on for then more than ever we know that our cause is just’ – Micky Devine”

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/489, ISO 16, full size 4032 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.5, 1/800, ISO 100, full size 4000 x 3000

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f1.8, 1/3205, ISO 20, full size 4032 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f5.6, 1/900, ISO 200, full size 4000 x 3000
X10986 X10985 X10983 X10984 Fern Rd

Mise Éire

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Mise Éire (short for ‘Is mise Éire’ [I am Ireland]) is a short poem by Patrick Pearse in which Mother Ireland speaks of her glories and sufferings. The un-partitioned Ireland (though with the flags of the four provinces in the corners) is used here by Republican Sinn Féin (web) to call for unification of “the whole people of Ireland … Protestant, Catholic, and Dissenter” [Wolfe Tone, from his autobiography].

The poem also appears in a Derry mural from the 1980s and a current New Lodge GAA mural.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 900 x 1200)
Copyright © 2022 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/979, ISO 16, full size 3024 x 4032
X10834 Falls Rd

An Attitude Of Revolt

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Tommy Roberts mural at the top of Westland Street, Derry, has been expanded, with a new central image – which now includes a portrait of Stevie Mallon alongside Roberts, against a background of Free Derry Corner – and three additional plaques.

Both quotes (“Life springs from death, and from the graves of dead patriot men and women spring living nations.” and “As long as Ireland is unfree the only honourable attitude for Irishmen and Irishwomen is an attitude of revolt.” are from Patrick Pearse. The first quote was also used on a Gibraltar 3 mural in Belfast and an INLA mural in Strabane in 1990; the latter was used in a Belfast in the 1980s.

“In proud and loving memory of Tommy Roberts, former IRA volunteer, former POW blanketman, died 8th June 2017 aged 78. His courage and dedication will never be forgotten. As long as Ireland is unfree the only honourable attitude for Irishmen and Irishwomen is an attitude of revolt.”

“In proud and loving memory of Stevie Mellon, former IRA volunteer, former internee, former GAA referee, died 1st August 2018, aged 65 years. His courage and dedication will never be forgotten. Lay him away on the hillside with the brave and the bold.”

“In proud and loving memory of Veronica Taylor, a proud socialist republican. Born11th June 1943, died 16th December 2019, aged 76 years. Her tireless dedication to the republican struggle will never be forgotten. “The only people worthy of freedom are those who are prepared to go out and fight for it every day and die if necessary.””

“In proud and loving memory of Ruairí (Roddy) Carlin, former IRA volunteer, former POW, died 23rd March 2021. A brave son of Ireland who fought for his country against continued British oppression and injustice, an uncompromised republican committed to the reunification of Ireland.”

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
Camera Settings: f18, 1/400, ISO 400, full size 5184 x 3456

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
Camera Settings: f18, 1/400, ISO 400, full size 5184 x 3456

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
Camera Settings: f18, 1/400, ISO 400, full size 5184 x 3456
X10023 [X10024] X10025 X01022

After We Are Gone

Extramural Activity1 Comment

Patsy O’Hara was born in 1957 Bishop Street, Derry, and joined Na Fianna in 1970 and the local Sinn Féin cumann in 1971 and, in August was shot in the leg by British soldiers. In 1972 he joined the Republican Clubs and in 1975 the IRSP. He was imprisoned multiple times, the final time being in January 1979 for possession of a hand grenade (Bobby Sands Trust). He went on hunger strike 41 years ago tomorrow (March 22nd) and was the first of the three INLA hunger strikers to die in 1981. The long-standing mural in Bishop Street was repainted for the 40th anniversary of his death. (For the previous version, see Let The Fight Go On.)

“Óglach Patsy O’Hara, INLA Derry Brigade, Irish hunger striker, who died after 61 days on 21st May 1981, age 23. Last words ‘Let the fight go on’.”

“After we are gone, what will you say you were doing? Will you say you were with us in our struggle or where you conforming to very system that drove us to our deaths?”

Bishop Street, Derry

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
Camera Settings: f18, 1/400, ISO 400, full size 5184 x 3456

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
Camera Settings: f18, 1/400, ISO 400, full size 5184 x 3456

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2022 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
Camera Settings: f18, 1/400, ISO 400, full size 5184 x 3456
X09795 X09796 X09797

Like The Eternal Flame

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Like the eternal flame your memory will never die.” “Unbowed, unbroken – this garden is dedicated to all our fallen dead from Ardoyne, Bone, and Ligoniel who lost their lives as a direct result of the conflict. We also honour all those people who played an active part in our struggle for Irish freedom. ‘It is not those who inflict the most, but those that endure the most, that shall prevail’ [Terence McSwiney]”. The central plaque shows the pediment and statues on “ard-oifig an phoist” (the GPO in Dublin, 1916) and the Maid Of Erin harp (of 1798). The celtic cross was previously in the memorial garden at the corner of Berwick Road – see Freedom Hath Arisen.

In the distance of the final image is the Sean Mac Diarmada mural.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 994 x 1100)
Copyright © 2020 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f9, 1/400, ISO 100, full size 3303 x 3656

Click and click again to enlarge (to 600 x 955)
Copyright © 2020 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f8, 1/400, ISO 100, full size 3401 x 5414

Click and click again to enlarge (to 754 x 1200)
Copyright © 2020 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f8, 1/400, ISO 100, full size 3400 x 5412

Click and click again to enlarge (to 800 x 1200)
Copyright © 2020 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f9, 1/500, ISO 100, full size 3744 x 5616

Click and click again to enlarge (to 800 x 1200)
Copyright © 2020 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f7.1, 1/400, ISO 100, full size 3744 x 5616

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 603)
Copyright © 2020 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f9, 1/250, ISO 100, full size 5616 x 2820

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2020 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f4.6, 1/400, ISO 80, full size 4896 x 3672

Click and click again to enlarge (to 790 x 1100)
Copyright © 2017 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f11, 1/60, ISO 80, full size 3540 x 4927
X07649 [X05375] X07650 X07651 X07652 [X07653] X07654 X07655 X07656 X05376Butler Pl

The Modern Order Of Hibernians

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A Penal law of 1695 forbade the practice of Catholicism and “dissenter” forms of Protestantism –anything other than Anglicism, forcing people and priests to worship in secret. Although the precise date of the founding of the Ancient Order Of Hibernians is shrouded by the existence of various other Catholic fraternal and defensive organisations such as St Patrick’s Fraternal Society and the Ribbonmen – the AOH history page gives 1838 in Pennsylvania – the order traces its roots back to Penal times and in particular to the Defenders in 1784, which arose to protect Catholics from the (Protestant) Peep-O-Day Boys and in defiance of Penal laws forbidding Catholics to bear arms (WP). The Belfast division (58) of the AOH is in Clonard Street.

For Penal laws, see previously: An Raibh Tú Ag An gCarraig? in Glen Bawn | The Mass Rock in Ard Eoin | Penal Days/Laethanta Na Péindlíthe in Andersonstown

For the Belfast AOH, see previously: Stand United Or Hang Alone | The Mainspring.

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2021 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f4.5, 1/80, ISO 125, full size 4267 x 3081

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 800)
Copyright © 2021 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f5.5, 1/80, ISO 160, full size 4896 x 3264
[X08660] X08661 X08662 [X08663] Marty Lyons

McKelvey & Steele

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This tarp, above the office of Sinn Féin Poblachtach and the Happy House on the Falls Road, celebrates two previous generations of IRA leadership. Joe McKelvey was commander of the Belfast Brigade of the IRA in the War Of Independence but against the Treaty; he was executed in December, 1922, for occupying the Four Courts in June (WP). Jimmy Steele was a leader in the Belfast IRA from the 1920s to 1960s and the first editor of Republican News; he died shortly after the split (WP).

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2021 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/267, ISO 16, full size 4032 x 3024

Click and click again to enlarge (to 1200 x 900)
Copyright © 2021 Extramural Activity
Camera Settings: f2.4, 1/326, ISO 16, full size 4032 x 3024
X08564 X08563