West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Greater Turf Lodge Martyrs Commemoration on 30th August 2009

Published: 14 August, 2009

'The troubles really took off in 69. The IRA was organised in 3 battalions in this city. Turf Lodge was sort of in between two of them. It was a sort of second hand IRA here, or so people thought, so people would have you believe.

'They used to call the 1st Batt 'silent valley'. There was always a rivalry between the IRA units; its funny looking back on it, but it wasn't funny at the time. What people didn't know was that an awful lot of volunteers in this district, who came from this district, worked in other parts of the town and people never knew about them.

'I'll tell you something. You aren't 2nd class to nobody. You want to be proud and proud of yourselves and proud of this district. It is one of the best in West Belfast, I can tell you that.'

The words of Volunteer Brian Keenan RIP, who proudly and fondly spoke of living in Turf Lodge, during the rededication of the Greater Turf Lodge Martyrs memorial garden.

On Sunday, 30th August, 2009 we will commemorate the sacrifice of the Volunteers from the Greater Turf Lodge area who gave their lives for the cause of Irish freedom.

Republicans are asked to gather at the memorial garden in Monagh Crescent (Teach Countaois Markievicz) at 1.15pm where Councillor Janice Austin will lead a short wreath laying ceremony.

Afterwards, and in tradition, the parade led by Éire Nua Republican Flute Band and a Republican colour party will walk through the streets of Turf Lodge passing the family home of Volunteer Martin Skillen, whose 35th Anniversary occurred on 3rd August, and onward to Milltown Cemetery, the final resting place of our Volunteer dead.

Councillor Austin will chair the proceedings during which a niece of Volunteer Terence 'Teddy' O'Neill will recite the Rolls of Honour and Remembrance. Sinn Fein Jennifer McCann MLA will deliver the main oration.

Afterwards everyone is welcome to attend a function in the Felons Club where local Turf Lodge Republican and Ex-prisoner Mary McArdle will address the hall.