four provinces

H-Block Martyrs

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The large board on the left commemorates the 10 dead hunger strikers (WP) and two blanketmen. “No greater love” echoes John 15:13.

There are also two smaller boards on the right: first, “Same old mural, same old force” with the three-in-one figure of RUC, Orange Order, and loyalist paramilitary under a traffic “No” symbol; second, an interesting board alleging collusion between the RUC and the UDA and UVF in north and east Belfast.

Oldpark Road, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
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Three Volunteers

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“In passing this mural, pause a little while, pray for us and Erin, then smile.” This is a Ballymurphy mural dedicated to three local PIRA volunteers: Bobby McCrudden, Mundo O’Rawe, and Pearse Jordan. McCrudden was shot in Ardoyne in 1972 (Sutton). O’Rawe was shot on the lower Falls in 1973 (Sutton). The circumstances of Jordan’s death in 1992 at the hands of an undercover RUC unit were controversial; his case went to the European Court Of Human Rights (WP).

From a photo in the Peter Moloney Collection, the plaque reads “I ndíl [ndıl] chuímhne [chuımhne] Oglach [Óglach] Edward ‘Mundo’ O’Rawe, Oglach Robert McCrudden, Oglach Pearse Jordan – who gave their lives for Ireland’s freedom.”

This is one of the murals in the Ballymurphy Mural Project.

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Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
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Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann

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“Grieve not nor speak of us with tears but laugh and talk of us as though we were beside you.” This mural is on the gable wall at the end of the street which is depicted in it, namely Ballymurphy Parade, which is to the left of the mural. It reproduces a photograph of IRA volunteers (Óglaıgh Na hÉıreann Belfast brigade B. Coy 2nd Batt) on patrol taken by Gerard ‘Mo Chara’ Kelly in An Phoblacht ?1979?.

For a close-up of the plaque, see M07999.

Glenalina Road, Ballymurphy, west Belfast

Copyright © 2004 Cathal Woods
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