On the left of this Newry memorial is a list of the “1916 Easter Rising Leaders executed by the British government: Thomas Clarke, Padraig Pearse, Thomas Mac Donagh, Joseph Plunkett, Willie Pearse, Ned Daly, Michael O’Hanrahan John Mac Bride, Eamonn Ceannt, Sean Heuston, Con Colbert, Michael Mallin, Thomas Kent, Sean Mac Diarmada, James Connolly, Roger Casement.”
On the right are five members of the local Óglaıgh na hÉıreann: Patrick Hughes, Edward Grant, Michael Hughes, Brendan Watters, Colum Marks.” Michael Hughes/Mıcheál Ó hAodha is commemorated at the western entrance to the estate and the plaque also mentions the death of his father, Patsy, and the death by premature explosion of his friend Eddie Grant in 1973. Brendan Watters likewise died by premature explosion (UPI). There is a memorial stone in Downpatrick at the spot where Colum Marks was killed.
Included last below is a Saoradh (web) board: “End British political policing”.
Just Good Grub (ig) is a ready-meal preparation company in the WIN business park in Newry; this recent (2024-06) Visual Waste (web) art is on a wall at the retail outlet on the Belfast Road.
Here is a selection of painted junction boxes in Newry: “River Deep” is by Zippy (ig) and the theatre curtains and masks by FrankieB (ig); the sunflowers and forest are by HM Constance (web); Hold Tight is for PIPS (ig); In Newry We Trust is by JMK (ig); the three-person hug is by Friz (ig); Bród is by Frankie B (ig).
Locations: ‘Save the bees’ in Buttercrane Quay; ‘River Deep’ in Francis Street; ‘comedy and tragedy’ on Bank Parade; sunflowers and green portal in Cloghanramer Road.
North Armagh remembers both the centenary of the Easter Rising – in black and white in the background are (above) the seven signatories of the Proclamation, (bottom left) Cumann Na mBan (see the 2014 west Belfast mural) and (bottom right) the Irish Citizen Army (depicted by the painting The Birth Of The Irish Republic) – but also nineteen local volunteers and activists from the Troubles era: (anti-clockwise from left) Thomas Harte, Michael Crossey, Charles Agnew, Julie Dougan, John Francis Green, Terry Brady, David Kennedy, Peter Corrigan, Sheena Campbell, Sam Marshall, Eamonn McCann, Harry McCartney, JB O’Hagan, Sean McIlvenna, Eddie Dynes, Eugene Toman, Garvase McKerr, Sean Burns.
The emblems in the upper corners of those of Na Fıanna Éıreann and the Irish National Volunteers. The inclusion of the National Volunteers is unusual and perhaps a mistake: they were formed in 1914, when the Irish Volunteers split after Redmond urged Irishmen to join the British Army in the Great War; about 24,000 National Volunteers joined the 10th and 16th (alongside roughly 180,000 other Irishmen) (WP). The intended emblem might instead be that of the Irish Volunteers, which kept the name of the pre-WWI organisation but only a fraction of the volunteers, some of whom participated in the Easter Rising; their emblem is also a harp but with “IV” or “Irish Volunteers” or (for the Dublin brigade) the Fıanna Fáıl sunburst. (If you can clarify, please comment/get in touch.)
In Irish mythology, Fıonn Mac Cumhaıll/Finn MacCool became wise (when still a boy) because he sucked on the thumb he burned while cooking the Salmon Of Knowledge for his master Finegas (Laud 610). The salmon, in turn, had gained the knowledge by eating nine hazelnuts that fell from nine trees into Tobar Segaıs/Tobar Chonnlaı (Dındshenchas – Boand II and Sınann II). The hazels belonged to Crimall The Sage and … that’s as far back as sources appear to go.
The knot-work dogs are Fıonn’s hounds Bran and Sceólang.
“Newry 2020” is not the place and date of the creation but the name of the initiative (Fb) that brought JMK (Jonny McKerr – ig) to Newry to paint this mural in Edward Street in 2023, with support from Newry BID (web), and the Newry, Mourne, And Down district council (Fb) (Newry.ie).
Ahed Tamimi is a young Palestinian activist famous for slapping and pushing two Israeli soldiers in 2017, when she was 16 (footage at NBC News), after her cousin was hit in the head by an Israeli bullet. She was arrested soon after (USA Today) and served seven months (Al Jazeera | Guardian). She was also arrested last (2023) November (Al Jazeera) and released about three weeks later as part of a prisoners-for-hostages swap on November 29th (BBC).
The mural to Tamimi (above) is in Catherine Street, Newry. Also included (below) are an older mural with the cartoon character of resistance Handala (WP) in front of a Palestinian flag with the words “Let this child return home”, and a Connolly-Costello IRSP (Fb) board.
“I ndıl chuımhne ar Mhıcheál Ó hAodha, Óglaıgh na hÉıreann, a dhúnmharaıgh Arm na Breataıne anseo ar 18 Deıreadh Fómhaır 1974, aoıs 16. In proud and loving memory of Volunteer Michael Hughes, Irish Republican Army, who was murdered by the British Army at this spot on the 18th October 1974 aged 16. I measc laochra na nGael go raıbh sé.”
Hughes was shot when he and several other youths attempted to hijack a bus at the stop at the entrance to the area which was under observation by a Royal Marine unit; the soldier who fired the shot claimed that Hughes had pointed a pistol at him, but no weapon or forensic evidence was recovered (Lost Lives 1208).
This is an enlarged memorial to Hughes at the upper entrance to Derrybeg. For the previous memorial, see M08521); Peter also photographed the bus shelters (in 2002).
From the printed info board: “Michael Hughes was born in Banbridge, Co. Down on 28th June 1958. He was the oldest of seven children born to Patrick and Teresa. He had one brother called John and five sisters, Kate, Elizabeth, Angela, Lorraine and Patricia. Michael began his academic career at St. Peter’s Primary School Bessbrook. He did well at school and moved on to the Abbey CBS Newry and then to St. Joseph’s. His teenage years were thrown into turmoil when he had to come to terms with the death of his father Patsy, who was killed in a premature explosion on the Dublin Road. His father’s death had a big impact on the teenage Michael. From an early age Michael was active on the streets against the British forces and he then decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the ranks of Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann. He became heavily involved with republican activity in the Derrybeg area and his leadership qualities soon impressed all those around him. He was a close friend and comrade of Eddie Grant who also died in action as a result of a premature explosion on Christmas Eve 1973. Apart from his active involvement in the IRA, Michael also enjoyed his social life. Nicknamed “Sticky” by his friends, he liked nothing better in his free time than frequenting the local Community Centre. With his ginger hair, he was instantly recognisable to everyone. He enjoyed football and reading books about Irish history. Realising the hardships faced by large families, Michael decided to look for a full time job to help alleviate his mother’s difficulties. He secured employment at the Nylon factory on the Armagh Road but alas had only completed two weeks work when his young life was cruelly ended. On Friday 18th October 1974, Michael was on active service when he was shot dead on an Ulsterbus by the British Army. He was only 16 years of age. On the day of his burial, his comrades marched along Main Avenue, Derrybeg in military formation in a fitting tribute to a fellow soldier. Michael will always be remembered with pride by his family and friends. Ar dheıs láımh Dé go raıbh a anam.”
Nine people died in the 1972 blast that killed Patsy Hughes, at the customs station in Newry – two lorry-drivers, four customs officials, and three IRA volunteers (Lost Lives 551).
Paddy Duffy Collection 