knot-work

H-Block Martyrs

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The large board on the left commemorates the 10 dead hunger strikers (WP) and two blanketmen. “No greater love” echoes John 15:13.

There are also two smaller boards on the right: first, “Same old mural, same old force” with the three-in-one figure of RUC, Orange Order, and loyalist paramilitary under a traffic “No” symbol; second, an interesting board alleging collusion between the RUC and the UDA and UVF in north and east Belfast.

Oldpark Road, north Belfast.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00063 h-block martyrs 1981

Lady In Red

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This 2002 Ballymurphy mural commemorates females (including several Cumann Na mBan members) who died in the troubles: anti-clockwise, they are Maura Meehan, Anne Marie Pettigrew, Dorothy Maguire, Eileen Mackin, Catherine (Cathy) McGartland, Anne Parker.

The volunteer on the right dates back (at least) to the 1982 poster below; the parade is perhaps based on a picture of Mao’s China?

Information from CAIN on four of the women shown.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
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1982 IntWomensDay

Bryson-Mulvenna

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2001 mural to IRA volunteers Jim Bryson and Patrick Mulvenna in Ballymurphy, both holding serious weaponry. For the plaque, see M01657.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
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Three Volunteers

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“In passing this mural, pause a little while, pray for us and Erin, then smile.” This is a Ballymurphy mural dedicated to three local PIRA volunteers: Bobby McCrudden, Mundo O’Rawe, and Pearse Jordan. McCrudden was shot in Ardoyne in 1972 (Sutton). O’Rawe was shot on the lower Falls in 1973 (Sutton). The circumstances of Jordan’s death in 1992 at the hands of an undercover RUC unit were controversial; his case went to the European Court Of Human Rights (WP).

From a photo in the Peter Moloney Collection, the plaque reads “I ndíl [ndıl] chuímhne [chuımhne] Oglach [Óglach] Edward ‘Mundo’ O’Rawe, Oglach Robert McCrudden, Oglach Pearse Jordan – who gave their lives for Ireland’s freedom.”

This is one of the murals in the Ballymurphy Mural Project.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
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Belfast Graves

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“And all around are monuments that bear a martyr’s name/True patriots who fought and died to kindle freedoms flame/Jimmy Quigley, McCormick and O’Neill/Remember them, they died for us and found a martyr’s grave.” The words of Ray McAreavey’s song are modified to include four Ballymurphy IRA/Fıanna volunteers.

This Ballymurphy mural uses symbols of ancient Ireland and the pikes of 1798/1803 to commemorate four modern volunteers — Jimmy Quigley, Eamonn McCormick, Teddy O’Neill, Michael Magee – and two other deaths – Alice Franklin, Mary Fegan.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00048 Belfast Graves with brave, I ndıl cuımhne [chuımhne] volunteers

Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann

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“Grieve not nor speak of us with tears but laugh and talk of us as though we were beside you.” This mural is on the gable wall at the end of the street which is depicted in it, namely Ballymurphy Parade, which is to the left of the mural. It reproduces a photograph of IRA volunteers on patrol taken by Gerard ‘Mo Chara’ Kelly in An Phoblacht ?1979?.

For a close-up of the plaque, see M07999.

Glenalina Road, Ballymurphy, west Belfast

Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00070 oglaıgh na heıreann belfast brigade b. coy 2nd batt

Easter Rising

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This Easter Rising (1916) mural shows Countess Markievicz (WP) outside the Dublin GPO, accompanied by Connolly and Pearse, though they would end up inside.

Whiterock Road, west Belfast.

(Also shown, in 2014, in the foreground of Yes Yes Catalonia.)

It’s difficult to get the whole mural without the fence and light-post. Below is a shot of the whole …

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
X00060 X00061 freedom fighters outside the G.p.o. easter rising 1916