A Working-Class Boy From A Ghetto

“I was only a working class boy from a [nationalist] ghetto, but it is repression that creates the revolutionary spirit of freedom.” This is a widely-quoted line from Bobby Sands, from an article in Republican News, 16 December, 1978 (page 7 pdf).

The mosaic has been in place since 2012; the quote was perhaps added for the launch of the Bobby Sands statue.

Twinbrook Road, Dunmurry

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
T06619 T06618

Ballymena And Larne Railway

“This mosaic depicts the history of the narrow gauge railway from Larne harbour to Ballymena which ran through this site.” The railway from Larne to Ballymena operated from 1878 to 1933 (WP). In Ireland, the narrow gauge railway was 3ft in width (compared with the modern standard of 5′ 3″).

Narrow Gauge Road, Larne.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2023 Paddy Duffy
T02803 T02804 T02805

Hunger Strikers Mosaics

For the 30th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike, the mosaics of the Troubles-era hunger strikers were mounted around the blanket-men board and above the Phoenix in Clowney Street; for a few years they were previously at the Falls-Beechmount corner.

Clowney Street, Beechmount, west Belfast

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2012 Paddy Duffy
T00721