Rebirth of a community
By Mairtin Og O'Floinn.
At the end of the M1 Motorway, nestled beside the Bog Meadows,
sits the Republican St James's area of West Belfast. Its 20 small
streets have come through much in the past 30 years with hardly a
house remaining untouched by the hand of conflict.
Its proximity to the Loyalist Village area has led to it being
the target of murder gangs. In1972 loyalists supported by the
British Army launched an assault on the area; they were only
repelled by determined counteraction by the IRA.
Over the years, many residents have been lost as a result of
British guns. Sadie Larmour, aged 44, was shot dead in October
1979 as she sat in her home. Teenager Daniel Rooney shot dead in
September by undercover troops in a passing car as he stood with
friends. IRA Volunteer James ``Skipper'' Burns, was murdered as he
slept in his Rodney Drive home. Community stalwart Paddy Brady
was killed in 1984.
Despite the pain the people have always displayed the fortitude
of the risen people.
A welter of community groups and residents associations has
sprung up. One, ``Síle Na Gig'', grew out of the Peace Action
Monitor committees which were formed after the 1994 IRA
cessation. The group takes its name from a goddess in Irish
mythology who symbolises strength and endurance. It is clear that
the people of St James's have plenty of both.
``At first, we organised around issues such as the release of
prisoners,'' Gráinne Brownlee said, ``but we soon saw the need for
an effective campaign group with drive and direction.''
Briege Norney expands, ``we have been involved in many campaigns
such as Saoirse and the campaign to keep open the Royal
Maternity. We have organised historical trips to the famine
museum in Strokestown. We have painted celtic murals, produced
banners, news-sheets and even Irish language classes for
beginners, all with the aim of providing an avenue to assert our
identity and encourage and foster the improvement of our area.''
One of the group's greatest achievements to date was the staging
of the play ``Thompson in Tír Na nOg'' about the Irish having their
language stolen by the British. Local children, all under the age
of fourteen, some as young as five, made up the cast.
Social deprivation and a chronic lack of local facilities were
considered the norm and for many years the area's only real local
amenity was a corner shop whose proprietor, Larry Murchan was
murdered by loyalists in September 1991 who accused him of
stocking An Phoblacht.
Then the greater St James's Forum, consisting of groups from the
wider area, was established to address the needs of the area.
Síle Na Gig, the Rock Residents Association, the St James's
Residents Association, the Upper Donegal Road Parent and Youth
Group and the Aran Women's Group are among its members.
The Forum has already made a massive impact on the area.
The people of St. James's should be immensely proud of their
achievements over the past thirty years and they should always
remember that the only way on, is up.
The 25th anniversary of the St James's Martyrs' Commemoration
Committee was marked by a well attended function in the Felons on
Sunday 30 November. Veteran republican Brian Keenan mixed his
talk with the political and spectacular with the very ordinary
and humble as he recalled the highs and lows of the struggle. He
was at pains to let the many young people in attendance know
about the calibre of men like Billy Shannon, Jimmy Burns and
Bobby Fitzsimmons, who kept the movement alive in St James's
through very difficult times. Everyone's thoughts were also with
those dozen men from the area who are currently incarcerated in
British jails and the eleven friends, neighbours and comrades
whose names are inscribed on the plaque on St James's Road. The
night was especially dedicated to the memory of former IRA
Volunteer Seamus ``Ardglass'' Fitzsimmons who passed away this
year.