Palestinian artist Taqi Spateen’s (web | ig) third piece in Belfast is in Crocus Street, in Beechmount, west Belfast, in conjunction with the Beechmount Residents’ Collective, which has images of the launch on June 23rd (ig). It replaces the vandalised-and-repaired lower part of the pro-immigrant mural seen in In Search Of A Better Life. In the mural, both an olive tree and slender Easter lilies emerge from the rubble. On these a new society can be built.
For Spateen’s first piece, in Kent Street in the city centre, see Anatomy Of Oppression.
“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).
Thomas Clarke/Tomás Ó Cléırıgh (b. 1858) has a long career in Irish fenianism, including fleeing to America after firing at police (at age 20) and 15 years of hard labour for an attempted bombing in London, beginning in 1883 (DIB). He is best known for his role, along with Sean Mac Dıarmada (The Mainspring), as architect of the Easter Rising. He is particularly honoured in Dungannon, where he grew up from the age of nine onward, the last posting of his British-Army–sergeant father. This statue in the Lisnahull area was unveiled (in this location) in late November 2021 (We Are Tyrone | NI World).
The circular placard is on O’Neill Park, across the street from the Garden.
The ‘East Tyrone Remembers’ board to IRA volunteers Sean Loughran, Patrick Carty, Patrick Quinn, Patrick McDonald, Kevin Murray, Paddy Kelly, Patrick Vincent – either this one exactly or a re-print of it – is mounted periodically. It first appeared in 2010 to be replaced by the Clonoe Martyrs. It was back again in 2013 and has been in place since 2017.
This RNU (Fb) board calls for attendees at a gathering in Milltown cemetery to commemorate the Easter Rising of 1916. The signatories to the Proclamation can be seen above and behind the large Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann gravestone on the right.
“The Reds” are Belfast soccer team Cliftonville FC. Although the team and their fans are “The Pride Of North Belfast”, this poster is on an electrical box on the Springfield Road, west Belfast.
In the apex of the gable are the seven signatories to the 1916 Proclamation — all of whom were executed after the rising — and to the left and right of the text of the Proclamation are IRA dead from 1973 to 1990.
Left, top to bottom: Jake McGerrigan, Peadar McElvanna, Peter Corrigan, Roddy Carroll, Sean McIlvanna [McIlvenna], and Dessie Grew.
Right: Tony Hughes, Tony McClelland, Seamus Grew, Martin Corrigan, and Gerard Mallon.
Here is a gallery of the murals and plaques in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close in the Machaıre Botháın/Marrowbone area of north Belfast. A full repertoire of republican events is commemorated – the United Irishmen, Great Hunger, the Rising, the Troubles, the (modern) hunger strikes. What is most striking is the significant presence of religious icons, such as the Sacred Heart in the glass cases in front of the two main murals (above and last below).
The Provisional IRA emerged from a split in the IRA in the wake of sectarian unrest in 1969. The Derry battalion became the Derry Brigade (An Brıogáıd Dhoıre) in 1972 when the number of people wishing to become volunteers swelled in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday. It is estimated that 1,000 Derry Catholics (2% of the population) were imprisoned for IRA activities in the 70s and 80s. (WP)
The image above shows a mural with Cú Chulaınn (Visual History), an oak leaf with crossed rifles, and a lily. Two boards commemorate volunteers from the 1st battalion. The sixteen portraits are of Lafferty, Donaghey, Keenan, McGillan, Starrs, / Carr, McDaid, Moyne, Coyle, Heaney, // Harkin, Duffy, Quigley, English, McSheffrey, / McFadden.
Here is a small gallery of the boards from anti-Agreement groups on the green-spaces around Free Derry Corner (Visual History) and the hunger strikers memorial in the Bogside, Derry.
“Stop extradition! Oppose the extradition of Irish citizens”, “Justice for the Craigavon 2 – innocent!”, “Sovereignty not Stormont”, “Stop the extradition of Liam Campbell, victim of MI5 entrapment & condemned by five judges in Lithuania”.
The six weeks from July 8th to August 20th 1981 saw the death of six hunger strikers – McDonnell, Hurson, Lynch, Doherty, McElwee, and Devine – adding to the four who began in March and died in May. All ten, along with Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg from 1974 and 1976, are remembered in this recent board in Rockmore Road.
To the left is a 1916 centenary board “Ag fíorú na poblachta”/“Realising the republic” – also seen in South Link and in Rockmount Street.
On the far left is a board from Republican Network For Unity (RNU)’s Cogús committee in support of “Attempted criminalisation of republican prisoners is alive and well”, “Republican prisoner welfare and support”: “End controlled movement, forced strip searches. now.”
Paddy Duffy Collection 