Hunger Strikers

Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan are included alongside the deceased 1981 hunger strikers in a gallery of portraits that has been updated annually since (at least) 2006. The large panel shows blanket-men Hugh Rooney and Freddie Toal, and Bobby Sands, the first to die in 1981.

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Copyright © 2008 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Colin Area Remembers

“Everyone tells me I’m a feminist. All I know is that I’m just as good as others, and that especially means men. I am definitely a socialist and I’m definitely a Republican. I believe in a united socialist country, definitely socialist. Capitalism can offer our people nothing and yet that’s the main interest of the British in Ireland – Oglach [sic] Maıréad Farrell.” Farrell was one of the Gibraltar 3 (along with Sean Savage and Dan McCann), killed by SAS soldiers in 1988. Painted by Rısteard Ó Murchú.

Jasmine Corner, Twinbrook

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The RIC Murder Gang

One RIC member was killed and another wounded outside the Beehive Bar in a shoot-out with IRA men in September 1920. In reprisal, County Inspector Harrison and his men killed Vol. Ned Trodden, Vol. Sean Gaynor, and Sean McFadden (Rısteard Ó Murchú). The gang, under Detective Inspector Nixon, would go on to kill more Catholics in 1921 and in 1922 commit the McMahon killings and the Arnon Street killings, in each of which 6 people died.

On the right is a small board on “political policing”: “Agents exposed. Shoot-to-kill. Spying. Cover-ups. Collusion. Plastic Bullets. Sectarian policing. Poisoning peace process.”

Northumberland Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Belfast Dockers And Carters Strike 1907

“Not as Catholics or Protestants, not as nationalists or unionists, but as Belfast workers standing together.” For the 100th anniversary of the strike by dockers and carters in Belfast, this large board was painted by Fra Maher and Rısteard Ó Murchú. It was launched without the title across the top (youtube | M03786).

Leaders Boyd and Larkin are portrayed in the middle. The second panel shows speakers (including Larkin) on a platform (O’Hare); the third shows an RIC guard of blackleg workers – about 70% of the force mutinied and the fifth panel shows dismissed RIC constable William Barrett being carried through Belfast; the sixth shows the Cameron Highlanders being stoned by picketers (History Ireland). Margaret Lennon and Charles McMullan, two Catholic victims of British soldiers, shot during protests, are portrayed in the bottom right.

Northumberland Street, west Belfast

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The Rights Of Every Child

“Whoever we are, wherever we live, these rights belong to all children under the sun and the moon and the stars, whether we live in cities or towns or villages or in the mountains or valleys or deserts or forests or jungles. Anywhere and everywhere in the big wide world these are the rights of every child.” No war, poverty, or spoils. Signposts mark the way to Ofer Prison Camp in the West Bank and Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

Islandbawn Street, middle Falls, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Ceol Gan Teoraınn

“Ceol gan teoraınn” – “unlimited music” or “music without boundaries”. Belfast’s Sean Maguire (also McGuire) (1927-2005) was an All-Ireland fiddle champion and world-wide ambassador for traditional music (WP). The Short Strand artist’s signature can be seen in the bottom corner.

Iveagh Parade, middle Falls, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2005 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Cláraıgh Anoıs

This is the scene in Ardoyne Avenue, looking west towards Berwick Avenue and Divis mountain. In the middle ground, Sınn Féın urge people to get on the electoral rolls: “British government guilty of electoral fraud. 211,000 denied their vote [see also in Linden St]. Are you one of them? An bhfuıl tusa ına measc? Register now. Cláraıgh anoıs. Sınn Féın.”

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Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Castilla Nacion/Països Catalans

These two murals on the International Wall, Divis Street, urge freedom for Castile and Catalonia (and Ireland).

On the left, “Fuera fascistas de Castilla” (Out, fascists of Castile!) The protester on the right is waving the flag of the Castilian Left, a political party working for recognition of the Castle region of Spain, roughly the north-central portion of the country, including Madrid (WP).

On the right are the flags of Catalonia and Ireland. The ‘Catalan Countries’ include (in Spain) Catalonia, parts of Valencia, and the Balearic islands, Andorra, and (in France) the Roussillon region.

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Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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