harp

The Lurgan Ambush

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“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.

M05411

Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney

The Teeling Family And The United Irishmen

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This monument is between Pantridge Road and Stewartstown Road on the Michael Ferguson Roundabout (Ferguson was a Protestant republican and MLA for West Belfast (An Phoblacht)). From top to bottom: the harp of the United Irishmen with the slogan “Equality. It is new strung and shall be heard”; a pikeman; an Easter lily; “Erin go brách.” and finally the dedication: “Erected by the people of Twinbrook and Poleglass to commemorate the Teeling family and the United Irishmen in this Bi-Centennial Year. 1798-1998.” Bartholomew Teeling is included in a Twinbrook mural alongside modern-day IRA volunteers (Twinbrook Final Salute); he was a United Irishman from Lisburn (Rebel Breeze has a full account of his deeds). Charles Teeling was a journalist and founder of the Northern Herald, among others (WP).

M04528 M04529 [M04530] [M04531] [M04532]

Copyright © 2008 Peter Moloney

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” was a slogan used during the French Revolution of 1789. The Society Of United Irishmen was inspired by both the American and French revolutions. It was founded in 1791 and planned to rebel when French troops arrived. 15,000 attempted to land unsuccessfully in 1796 and only a thousand were involved in 1798. South Link, Belfast

M02255 M02254

Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney

Óglaigh Na hÉireann 1803–2003

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Robert Emmet was hanged on September 20th, 1803, after his unsuccessful rebellion. At trial, he predicted that the struggle for Irish independence would continue, in his parting speech: “When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then and not till then, let my epitaph be written.” There is no direct link between the Irishmen and an army of the Irish Republic – after the execution of Emmet and Thomas Russell, the Society Of United Irishmen collapsed. The Maid Of Erin harp is the symbol of the Society.

Bingnian Road, Belfast

M02247 M02246 M02248

Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney

One Hundred Years Of Revolution

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The defining objective of the Sinn Féin movement was expressed by Arthur Griffith, editor of the newspaper United Irishman, in 1905: to form a Dublin government “endowed with the moral authority of the Irish nation”. In 1907 three recently created parties united to form Sinn Féin, Cumann na nGaedheal (1900), the Dungannon Clubs (1905), and the National Council (1903). In 2004, the organisation was looking forward to its centenary. South Link, Belfast.

M02184

Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney

Freedom

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

m00861

“Freedom: For freedom you fasted & died/For the five rights you were denied/For the evil we know to blame/For England shrouded in shame/For the deaths of young Irish lives/For the oath of a country that cried/For the murder of a lark in the sky.” This poem seems to be unique in Irish muraling – if you know anything about it, please leave a comment. The sword with wings appears to be the insignia of the SAS, but its presence in this is inexplicable; the harp might be taking a poke at it. Fountain Street, Strabane.

M00861

Copyright © 1990 Peter Moloney