Éıre Nua

2013-04-30 RoryOBradaighAntrimRd+

This is a recent poster (this one on the Antrim Road near Carlisle Circus) featuring the “Éıre Nua” plan of the 70s and 80s (which remains policy of Republican Sınn Féın, which split from Sınn Féın in 1986) and one of its authors, Ruaırí Ó Bradaıgh (WP). The plan calls for four parliaments, one in each of the four provinces, with a capital in Athlone. A documentary, Unfinished Business, featuring Ó Bradaıgh, can be seen here.

Update: Ó Bradaıgh died on June 5th, 2013 (Irish Times)

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Rolling Out The Red, White & Blue Carpet

2013-04-28 HolyCrossKerb+

Holy Cross Primary – an all-girls Catholic school – sits in the loyalist Glenbryn neighbourhood, above Alliance Avenue in Ardoyne. The freshly-painted kerb-stones leave no doubt as to the precarious situation of the school, which is well-known as the site of a dispute in 2001 when loyalists attempted to block access to the school (WP).

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Our Friends And Comrades

2013-04-23 ArdAnLao4+

Here is another piece from Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close, a short, dead-end, street in Ard Eoın/Ardoyne. “In memory of our friends and comrades. This memorial is dedicated to all those Irish Republicans who fought in the struggle for Irish freedom and in the defence of this community in our time of need. The memorial honours their courage and dedication to the cause of Irish freedom. Ar dheıs Dé go raıbh a n-anam.”

See also Bone Memorial | Marie Le Bonn

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01068 Hugo Wilkinson, Terry Murphy, Paul Watson, Jim McLaughlin, Richard McIlkenny, Jake McGowan, Patsy Quinn, Liam Mulholland, Francis O’Neill, Sean Delaney, Carmel Cahoon, Christine Beattie, Geraldine Rice, Anthony McIlkenny, Joey Saunders, Danny Mullan, Tony Molloy, Seamus Rice, Eamon McAllister, Gerry McAllister, John Bateson, John Barnes, Jim Floyd. With images of the prisons Armagh, Long Kesh H-Blocks, Magilligan, Long Kesh cages, HMS Maidstone, Portlaoise, Wormwood Scubs, Crumlin Road.

Bone Memorial

2013-04-23 ArdAnLao3+

Two memorial boards in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close, one to volunteers and the other to victims of violence, from the surrounding areas, the Bone, Ballybone and Cliftonville.

The text on the first read, “In proud and loving memory of the brave volunteers of Óglaıgh na hÉıreann who unselfishly gave their lives for the cause of Irish freedom. Thug sıad gach rud, ní bheanfar dearmad orthu go beo.”

The second read, “In memory of our families, friends and neighbours murdered in the troubles. Dedicated to all the people from the Bone, Ballybone and greater Cliftonville area who lost their lives to the armed forces of Britain and Loyalism. They tried but failed to break their spirits and deny them their rights as equals. Ar dheıs Dé go raıbh a n-anam.”

Involves wrought iron pieces as borders.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X01067

Marie Le Bonn

2013-04-23 ArdAnLao2+

Shown is a small memorial garden in Clós Ard An Lao/Ardilea Close. There is no record at all, on-line at least, of a Marie Le Bonn. “Marrowbone” is sometimes thought to be a corruption of “Marie Le Bone” (and “Marylebone” in London is derived from the church of St Mary’s on the bourne (stream) (WP)) but a more likely derivation, given the location, is Machaıre Botháın, the plain of the (shepherd’s) hut. But Mary The Good is more in keeping with the shrine.

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Copyright © 2013 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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