“In proud and loving memory of Vol. Colm Keenan and Vol. Eugene McGillan killed on active service 14th March 1972. Beirigí bua.” Six weeks after Bloody Sunday, teenagers Keenan and McGillan were shot and killed during a gun battle between the IRA and British Army in which, it is claimed, they were not participants (RN/AP). Dove Gardens, Derry, site of their deaths.
M05432
Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
“Fuair siad bás ar son saoirse na hÉireann. Óglach Sean Burns, Óglach Gerva[i]se McKerr, Óglach Eugene Toman. “But they dared to hold their heads up high and never once did fail to declare their wish for freedom like true sons of the Gael” – The Lurgan Ambush (A poem by Ita Green)”. The IRA volunteers were three of the six people shot in Lurgan in three incidents in November and December of 1982: Seamus Grew, Roddy Carroll, Michael Tighe. The deaths of the six would be investigated by the Stalker Inquiry into the shoot-to-kill policy.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
Presbyterian Roddy McCorley was executed on 28 February, 1800, and his name is famous due to a ballad written by Ethna Carbery (sung here by Tommy Makem).
“In memory of Rody McCorley who was hanged here for his part in the Rising of 1798. Those who died for Ireland, let not their memory die.” “I gcuimhne Ruairí Mhic Thoirdhealliagh a crochadh annseo as a bheith páirteach i nÉirghe Amach 1798. Iad siúd a dhéag ar son na hÉireann go mhairidh a gchú go deo.”
Moneynick Road, Toome.
M05245 [M05444] M05247 [M05246]
Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
The river Mourne flows through Strabane town, home to 20 IRA volunteers and Sinn Féin activists who died during the Troubles: Fian Tobias Molloy, Vol. Eugene Devlin, Vol. Seamus Harvey, Vol. Gerard McGlynn, Vol. Jim McGinn, Vol. Neil Lafferty, Vol. Patrick Cannon, Vol. Peter McElchar, Hugh Devine, Vol. Michael Devine, Vol. David Devine, Vol. Charles Breslin, Vol. Josie Connolly, Vol. Danny McCauley, Patrick Shanaghan, Vol Damian Brolloy, Jim McAleer, Ivan Barr, Charlie McHugh.
“You’ve come to know the winds that blow, the glory that surrounds you. You hills that flow from Knockavoe, to wrap their warmth around you; on Irish streets in August heat, thro’ dusky dark December, you lost your lives but will never die, as long as we remember.” The author of the poem is unknown. Fountain Street, Strabane.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
2009 was the fortieth anniversary of the beginning of the Troubles and of the “first person to be killed in the Troubles – murdered by the RUC at this spot [Main Street, Dungiven] on 14th July 1969”: Francie (Pól Beag) McCloskey. McCloskey was a 67 year-old farmer standing in a shop doorway on the 12th (BelTel) or 13th (An Phoblacht) when the RUC charged nationalist rioters attacking the Orange lodge. He would die of a brain hemorrhage on the 14th. “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
National Hunger Strike Commemoration. Remember the hunger strikers. Tír Eoghain 2009. Blackflag and torchlight presentation, Anne Street, Dungannon. Main commemoration Galbally community centre.” Placed temporarily on top of Sinn Féin – The Winning Way. The same board was hung in Chapel Road, Dungiven.
Bridge Street, Strabane.
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
The main plaque (shown first above) is new; like its predecessor (see M02186) list of the local dead of the IRA 1st battalion, Belfast brigade and related members of the republican movement. (A shorter list is on the plaque to the left, shown second.) There is also a 200th anniversary plaque for the 1798 rebellion: “1798-1998 Who Fears To Speak Of 98. This plaque was erected to the memory of the United Irishmen who gave their lives for Irish freedom also those who died as a result of the Great Hunger. ‘These are the times that try mens’ souls.’ [- Thomas Paine] The rich always betray the poor.’ – Henry Joy McCracken.” The memorial garden is next to the Andersonstown Social Club (a.k.a. the PD or “People’s Democracy”).
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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
“This memorial cross is dedicated to the memory of all the deceased members from St Matthew’s Parish especially those who died as a result of the conflict in our country. Always remembered with love and respect by their families, friends and parishioners. Mary, queen of peace, pray for us. Dóibh siad uilig as Paraiste Mhaitiú Naofa atá anois ar shlí na firinne go mormhor dóibh siad a d’éag da bharr na comhlinte in ár dtír, a thiomnaintear an chros seo. Beidh dílchuimhne ag a muintir féin, ag a gcairde agus ag a gcomhrarsana orthu go brách agus is le grá agus meas a chuimhneofar orthu. A Mhuire, banríon na Síochána, guigh orainn. May they all rest in peace. Suimhneas síoraí othru uilig.”
[M04919] M04920
Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
Gravestones to brothers Michael, David, and Hugh Devine, to Charles Breslin, who died alongside Michael and David, to “all those who gave their lives” – “Go luí cré ársa Thír Eoghain go héadrom ar uigheanna ár laochrai uaisle” [May the ancient Tyrone clay lie lightly on the graves of our noble warriors]; this headstone is featured in a Fountain Street mural – and Danny McCauley – “Where there is a struggle for justice, the desire for freedom and resistance to exploitation, there will always be a Danny McCauley.”
M04568 M04567 M04566 [M04565] M04564
Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
“In proud and loving memory of all those who gave their lives for Irish freedom in the West Tyrone area”. “Go luí cré ársa Thír Eoghain go héadrom ar uigheanna ár laochrai uaisle.” [May the ancient Tyrone clay lie lightly on the graves of our noble warriors.] Michael Devine, Eugene Devlin, Gerald McGlynn, Danny McCauley, Jim McGinn, Peter McElchar, Jim McAleer, Seamus Harvey, Charles Breslin, Tobias Molloy, Neil Lafferty, Patrick Shanaghan, Patrick Cannon, Davide Devine, Joseph Connolly, Damian Brolly. For the actual headstone, in Strabane Cemetery, see Stabane’s Republican Graves.
M04582 [M04583] [M04578] [M04579] [M04580] [M04581]
Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney
