1981 Murals Thumbnails – Irish Studies

Rockmount Street, Belfast, 1981. Dying hunger striker holding rosary beads with Mary watching over him; “Blessed are those who hunger for justice.” (Eric Arnum)

Rockmore Road, Belfast, 1981. Emaciated hunger striker attached to crucifix-like H-block; Bobby Sands quote; “Break Thatcher’s Back.” (Eric Arnum)

Donegall Road, Belfast, 1981. Dead, Jesus-like hunger striker draped in the tricolor being carried from Long Kesh. (Eric Arnum)

Whiterock Road, Belfast, 1981. Angel, dying hunger striker, and IRA volunteer; “Blessed are those who hunger for justice.” (Bill Rolston)

Twinbrook, Belfast, 1982. Skeletal blanketman on a brick H in between depictions of 1916 and 1969, “continuity of republican struggle.” (Bill Rolston)

Whiterock Road, Belfast, 1981. Blanketman and words of chorus of “The H-Block Song.” (Bill Rolston)

Springfield Road, Belfast, 1981. Blanketman, tricolors, and names of first four hunger strikers. (Bill Rolston)

Creggan Heights, Derry, 1981. Portrait of Bobby Sands; “The Spirit of Freedom” (Bill Rolston)

Oakman Street, Belfast, 1981. Portrait of Bobby Sands, skeletal figures with limbs extended, IRA slogan. (Bill Rolston)

Cable Street, Derry, 1984. Aspects of republican struggle and quotation from Bobby Sands. (Bill Rolston)

Falls Road, Belfast, 1981. Blanketmen, names of hunger strikers (“those brave Irish martyrs who died on hunger strike for their republican beliefs in the H blocks of Long Kesh”), crucifix coming out of H-block. (Bill Rolston)

Beechmount Drive, Belfast, 1981. Sacred Heart of Jesus over-looking blanketman. (Bill Rolston)

Etna Drive, Belfast, 1981. Prison guards beating blanketman; “Each day my comrades and I face a psychological battle for survival. It is a very intense struggle and the enemy is unmerciful.” (Bill Rolston)

Bond Street, Belfast, 1983. Sinn Fein election mural featuring Bobby Sands and James Connolly; “Vote Socialist, Vote Republican, Vote Sinn Fein” (Bill Rolston)