Robert Emmet Commemoration

A Robert Emmet mural was painted by Robbie Kane in 1953 (for the 150th anniversary of the 1803 rebellion and his execution) in Crumlin Street. This was one of a very few CNR murals painted prior to the Troubles, and nationalist symbols were formerly outlawed in the Flags And Emblems Act of 1954. (See Visual History 02.) As can be seen below, the original was accompanied by a Christian cross and the words “Hail Christ our king”. This version reproduces only the two medallions, showing a Celtic harp (left) and a dramatic portrait of Emmet waving his hat, from the mid-1800s (WP/LoC).

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Copyright © 1997 Paddy Duffy
T00298

Ireland First, Ireland Last, And Ireland Over All

A revolutionary soldier raises the Irish Tricolour while trampling on a Union Flag on a broken mast that was perhaps attached to the poorly drawn GPO in the background. The card on which the image is based can be seen below.

On the right hand side are the Easter lily and halberds/pikes and an assault rifle, indicating the historical roots and present-day inheritors of the 1916 revolt.

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Copyright © 1990 Paddy Duffy
T00094

Saoırse

“Freedom.” On the left, a Starry Plough (of the INLA) is attached a spear of ancient Ireland, next to two pikes (of the 1798 Rebellion), behind an ancient shield filled in with the Gal Gréıne of the Fıanna; on the right, a volunteer from the modern “Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann” aims an assault rifle, all against a large Irish Tricolour.

Kashmir Road, west Belfast

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Copyright © 1988 Paddy Duffy
T00175

The Final Salute

The first names of the ten deceased 1981 hunger-strikers — Bobby, Francis, Patsy, Raymond, Joe, Martin, Kiersn, Tom, Micky, Kevin — appear on a ribbon held by a tricoloured phoenix against a sunburst, flanked by Starry Plough and Tricolour and volunteers firing a final salute.

The ribbon was initially shorter, with the names of the first six to die – see the Peter Moloney Collection.

Painted by Con in Rockdale Street, west Belfast.

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Copyright © 1981 Paddy Duffy
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