Belfast west – Page 46 – Paddy Duffy Collection

It Is New Strung And Shall Be Heard

2010-01-182026-08-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Andrea Redmond painted this mural in Andersonstown for the 200th anniversary of the 1798 rebellion by Na hÉıreannaıgh Aontaıthe (the United Irishmen), who used a harp – specifically a Maid Of Erin harp – as their emblem. To the right, out of shot, are the words Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.

The mural is in decent shape despite being twelve years old, except for the graffiti at the bottom. The graffiti on the two boards to the side is more obscuring.

The first is devoted to the role of women in global struggles: “We too are strong. We too are a threat to the oppressive enemy. We are revolutionaries. We are the other half of our revolutionary men. We are their equal halves.” The IRA’s Maıréad Farrell is in the top left.

The second commemorates “Óglach Coımhín Mac Brádaıgh a fuaır bás agus é ag cosaınt a phobaıl.” [Volunteer Coımhín Mac Brádaıgh, who died while defending his people.] Mac Brádaıgh was killed pursuing loyalist gunman Michael Stone, who was attacking the funeral of the Gibraltar 3 (including Farrel), in Milltown Cemetery, on March 16th, 1988.

South Link, Andersonstown, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Paddy Duffy
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Éırí Amach Na Casca

2010-01-142026-07-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Éırí Amach Na Cásca 1916 [Easter Rising 1916] mural is repainted (by DD and Seany McVeigh) due to the new doorway. Compare to the previous version. (See also the IRA plaque.)

Beechmount Avenue/Ascaıll Ard Na bhFeá/RPG Avenue, Beechmount, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Paddy Duffy
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Fıanna 100

2010-01-122026-07-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Na Fıanna Éıreann was founded by Constance Markievicz – shown on the left of the mural – and Bulmer Hobson in 1909 as a scouting organisation for boys. When they reached 17, they were recruited into the IRB.

Falls-Beechmount Corner

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Copyright © 2010 Paddy Duffy
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Fır Na Pluıde

2010-01-112026-07-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The “blanket” (Gaeilge: pluıd) protest (not wearing prison uniforms) was a response to the removal of political (Special Category) status in 1976 (WP). The “no wash” or “dirty” protest (not using toilet facilities) followed in 1978 (WP). Both forms of protest are illustrated in the board shown above: three unshaven men wear blankets and go barefoot in a cell with excrement smeared on the walls.

An information plaque was added below, on the Phoenix mural (not shown – see M04941).

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Copyright © 2010 Paddy Duffy
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Not Spain, Not France

2010-01-102026-07-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“1650-2009: 350 years of occupation, 350 years of resistance. Catalan language has been spoken since VIII century. Nowadays, after 350 years of occupation and prohibition, there are 9 million Catalan speakers. The spirit of revolt against the Spanish kingdom and French state is still alive. The struggle of the Catalan people continues against the existing discriminations. Not Spain, not France.” “Saoırse na hÉıreann, Llibertat Països Catalans.”

Clowney Street, Beechmount, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2010 Paddy Duffy
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Venceremos

2010-01-082026-07-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Here is a gallery of panels from the International Wall in Divis Street and Northumberland Street, updating the entry from 2008.

Northumberland Street:

C Coy, 2nd Battalion, Belfast Brigade

2010-01-072026-07-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The back wall of Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden – that is, the so-called “peace” line – is decorated with portraits of twenty-five local óglaıgh and fıanna who died from 1920 to 1992 (though an Easter lily takes the place of Sean Gaynor on the far left).

Left: Dan Duffin, Seán McCartney, Tom Williams, Gerard McAuley, Peter Blake, Seamus Simpson, Seán Johnston, Seán Gaynor, Pat Duffin, Gerard Ó Callaghan, Seamus Burns, Danny Ó Neill, Tom McCann.

Right: Gerard Crossan, Seán Ó Riordan, Martin McKenna, Liam Hannaway, Jim McKernan, Dan McCann, “dedicated to the memory of local republican, Billy Davidson”, Tony Lewis, Joe McKenna, Brian Dempsey, Finbarr McKenna, Seán Savage, Prionsais Mac Áirt.

Never Again

2010-01-062026-07-28Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Fian Gerald McAuley was shot on Waterville Street by loyalists while helping residents move out of their burned-out homes on Bombay Street during the commencement of the Troubles in 1969 (An Phoblacht). This new board replaces a similar one on the other side of the street.

Bombay Street, Clonard, west Belfast

Springhill-Westrock Massacre

2010-01-052026-05-09Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This is a mural by Mo Chara Kelly (with DD Walker, Michael Kelly, and Ta Heath) commemorating the deaths of five people shot by British Army snipers in 1972: Paddy Butler (39), David McCafferty (15), Margaret Gargan (13), John Dougal (16), Fr Noel Fitzpatrick (40). The snipers fired from JP Corry’s timber yard (shown on the right) and at the time the Westrock bungalows were still standing (shown lower left).

“Belfast’s Bloody Sunday. On the 9th July 1972 the British Army murdered 5 Irish citizens and severely wounded 2 others. It’s time for the truth.”

Springfield Road, west Belfast