Singers, Patriots, Comedians, Musicians Etc.
The Late Bo Birch Of Grenadier Showband Fame
Did you ever get sick of Quangos and nodding dog Media Moguls presenting us with "Role Models" at Tuxedo and Bow Tie functions, the 'great and the good' , clapping each other on the back whilst eating mini sausage rolls and drinking weak tea...picture the M.C, "... And next I would like to present an award to **** ***** for his consistent head nodding, his kind acceptance of £100,000's of grants, his innovative dialogue to move things forward was truly creative, his re-writing of history, in fact. it is just what we would axpect from an A*** H*** like him , oops sorry, I meant a man of his calibre""
I thing such occassions say more about the ego or furthering the commercial interests of those presenting the awards than it does of their understanding of respect dignity or principle. There has been and still are so many unsung heroes that I decided to give over this page to create, with your help, an alternative "Roll Of Honour". This will be a list of Musicians, Singers, Boxers, Hodcarriers, Writers, Brickies, Social Champions, patriots etc, etc, the real backbone of Belfast society through the years. The page will expand and new names added regularly so please look in often to view the page developing. Surely there are some people who enriched your life, perhaps with their musical talent, or a School Teacher, a good neighbour, a person of principle, etc, if so let me hear from you. You are welcome to offer nominations to this Belfast Roll Of Honour by contacting Joe Graham at rushlight123@hotmail.com
The Flying Column. Musical Band.
Eamon and Kathleen Largey.(R.I.P) Very talented singers and husband and wife, they were the main stay behind the patriotic "Flying Column" band, They kept the spirit of an oppressed people up during very dark days. They got no 'official' recognition in this six county British occupied corner of Ireland (The Coconut Colony) and even whilst they were carried shoulder high through towns in Ireland they were denied air play on both Free State Radio and Television. Their L.P album "Four Greeen Fields" has never and will never be surprassed. Perhaps Belfast City Council, in these days of "equality", (pull the other one there's bells on it), could erect a monument to them in the City Hall grounds, or better still on a huge plinth in Stormont grounds and have the song "Four Green Fields" playing on a loop.?
Andrew Boyd . Historian & Writer . Andrew Boyd is one of those rare unique historical writers who tells it as it is, his book, "Holy War In Belfast" published in 1969, blew the lid of the repetitiveness of sectarian ethic cleansing here in the region which is now the six British controlled counties of North East Ireland. Needless to say it appears he is not included in those circles where writers who are more, no, very, selective in what they write are invited to. Andrew with his book done the Nationalist, no, Catholic people, of these six counties a great service by publishing his book and highlighting the evil sectarianism of the coconut colony, soon to be ruled again from Stormont. Back in 1969 Andrew caused a stir when he said that certain Trades Unions were 'Lame Ducks', supported by Government grants, and how right he was. They would jump through hoops, or condemn the Civil rights agitation, to get their grants.
Seamus Twomey . A patriot and soldier, who few could match in the recent war for Irish independence.
Frank "Machine Gun" McKenna . Frank was a life long Irish Republican who was incarcerated in Crumlin Road after some Thomson Sub-Machine guns (hence his nick name) were found in his cooked meat shop on the Falls Road. A dedicated Irish Patriot.
Eddie Andrews and his wife Mary. Eddie RIP, was a great Irishman of the same mould as the United Irishmen
Patrick Finucane . Belfast lawyer murdered by loyalists in collusion with Royal Ulster Constabulary at his Antrim Road home. Brian Nelson the British agent along with Ken Barrett has been repeatedly mentioned as part of the conspiracy that brutally murdered Mr. Finucane , a highly respected human rights lawyer, in front of his wife and young family.
'Rosemary Nelson . Lurgan murdered by loyalists when her car was blown up, it is widely believed that the Royal Ulster Constabulary colluded in this cowardly murder.
Fra Notarantonio . A life long Patriot, imprisoned in the 1940's, and arrested in the 1956-61 campaign and rose again to do sterling work for the Prisoners Dependents Committee during Internment in the 1970's. He was murdered in his bed at his Ballymurphy Home by unionist gunmen working in collusion with the state police,(then called R.U.C), who cleared the way for the murderers to have a clean escape after their cowardly act. It is now believed that Mr Notarantonio was set up for murder by Special Branch to protect the indentity of the highly placed Republican informer Freddie Scappaticci.
Above, funeral from Holy Cross Chapel of Sean McCaughey,
Freddie Gilroy, Boxer. Another world champion boxer, Freddie hailed from Ardoyne.
Samuel Baxter, Socialist Martyr of 1930's O.D.R Riots. Samuel Baxter was a Brown Square Protestant involved in the protests of the hungry '30's when Belfast Catholics and Protestants stood shoulder to shoulder in protest at the dire conditions in Belfast at that time. Sadly the establishment suceeded in splitting their ranks by lying that the I.R.A were behind the protests, causing most protestants to step back. But not Sammy Baxter, he was shot dead by the R.U.C in the old Catholic Pound Loney area while manning a barricade there. His funeral was one of the biggest that Belfast ever witnessed, thousands of protestant and catholic workers followed his hearse. No memorial marks the spot either in the site of the Old Pound Loney where he died or Browns Square where he lived to commemerate Sammy Baxter.
Rinty Monaghan. Boxer John Joseph (Rinty) Monaghan was born in Sailortown Belfast, Ireland, 21st August 1920. He started boxing from an early age, and soon ruled the roost at his weight in Belfast. He was the first Belfast based boxer ever to become a World Title Holder and at the end of his career in 1950 he held no less than four titles. He had taken the World Title from Scot Jackie Patterson at the Kings Hall in Belfast 23rd March 1946 before a crowd some say that was in excess of 10,000. Rinty retired only two years after winning his World Title and thereby relinquishing all four of his titles through failing health. He lived a happy and colourful life afterwards, dabbing in showbiz due to his great singing ability, and having also become famous for singing. ”When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” after each of his bouts. He was also a very capable billiard player having spent a lot of his youth playing in the famous “Tin Hut” at North Queen Street. Rinty, the undefeated champion of the world. died 3rd March 1981.. And now 25 years later you would have thought someone would have named an oul Airport or something after him.. I wonder why they didn’t ?.. Hmmm!
Liam Mulholland, Social Champion and Patriot. Liam was reared in the old Marrowbone area of Belfast. His mother's funeral was said to be the last Cumann Na Bman funeral at which the Guard of honour, all women, fired RIFLE shots over her coffin. Liam was a life long republican , likened to O'Donovan Rossa, "unrepentent and uncompromising". Liam was the first man since John Mitchell back in 1847 to be charged with "Treason Felony"... treason to that foreign country called England.
Cathal O'Byrne , Writer and Patriot. The most patriotic writer that Belfast ever produced, there should be a statue erected at Dunville Park to his memory.His "As I Roved Out" is the Bible of Belfast, but don't be confused with the shortened pirate copy some money changers turned out in the late 1950's.
Through the years I have been invited to many functions, like book launchings, unveilings and such but I never seen much value at attending such gatherings where nodding dogs look around the room to see what 'eminent' figures they may have been 'honoured' by being included with on the guest list, for I would imagine I wouldn't see too many people there that I would not normally want to sip tea with, or indeed feel honoured by being in their presence. But honoured I have always felt at drinking tea, as a child, with my father and Cathal O'Byrne at his home in the 1950's at Cavendish Street which Cathal shared with his sister Alice. I am so proud at having badgered for years those who do such things to erect a memorial at the house.. yep I got the first "Blue Plaque" erected in Catholic Falls, but that's a long story, indeed a saga.. remind me to tell you it some time.
One book launching I would liked to have been a fly on the wall at that at which a 'cut to ribbons' version of "As I Roved Out " was launched if only to have watched the publishers skirm and try to explain that here was Cathal O'Byrne's Book, "As I Roved Out" This butchered edition of the book was published around the time of Cathal's death, Cathal posed for the photo above which was used as a frontpiece for the book only months before he died , he actually had posed earlier dressed as he was for a sketch to be drawn of him but for certain reasons, the 'sitting' was abandoned and a photograph was taken instead. To cut a long story short ,the book was nothing like the original book first published by The Irish News back in 1946, it had been carefully edited (not by the Irish News) and any reference that could be seen as too "Irish"..or praising of the Irish, was omitted, there is that four letter word again. OMIT... to deliberately omit surely is to deceive..and it took from the works of poor Cathal, and left it a slavish shadow of what Cathal had originally wrote and meant his readers to read and later generations to judge him by. Cathal who was so ill and the time barely knew what was going on around him. he was at this time (1958) living at Nazareth Lodge at the top of the Ormeau Road. ironically, the man who was involved in the publishing of this disgusting slavish version of "As I Roved Out" also wrote Cathal's obituary at his death, in the Irish News and within that, (which I would never publish) he done no favours to the memory of Cathal, sadly there are those today who did parrot his words by photo copying and publishing old papers and thereby perpetuating falsehoods put out by slavish media writers from the past, that photo copying machine in Belfast Central Library must be the busiest in the world. I supose they have never heard the adage, "You shouldn't believe all you read in the Newspapers". Especially in papers that have to rely on business and 'government' to patronage them with advertisements , grants or funding.Surely this is the press selling 'the freedom of the press'. ?
Michael McLaverty, Writer - Quiet Patriot AND My School Teacher .
Michael McLaverty was born in 1904 at Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, in 1911 his family moved to Beechmount, Belfast, where his father took up employment as a waiter at the Queen’s Hotel, Queen’s Arcade. Michael began attending St Gall’s School at Clonard, he had three brothers and four sisters. He later went to “Strawberry Hill” the Catholic teachers’ College in London and soon after, in 1928, took up his first position as a teacher at St John’s Primary School, Colinward Street. In 1933 he married Molly Giles, whose brother later became a well known Springfield Road G.P, the couple went to live at Knock (Belfast) for a few years and later moved to Deramore Drive at Malone, they had four children, two boys and two girls, Shelia, Kevin, Colm and Moira. It was in the early 1930’s that Michael McLaverty’s published works began to appear and in was in the short story field that he became known. His book, “Call My Brother Back”, which he wrote in 1939, is a graphic insight into working class Belfast life in the 1920’s. Some say it was based, true or not I do not know, around a real life event, the murder of Sean Gaynor in his home just around the corner from the school, and to lend more poignancy, Sean’s brother Liam had been a teacher at St. John’s School,
Cathal Bradley, Writer and Columnist . Cathal Bradley lived at 18 Herbert Street, Ardoyne, he was a prolific writer and a nenouned 'Ribbonman', he seen himself as a cut above the usual Nationalist and indeed Republican. He lived above his little shop at the corner of Elmfield Street. His two sisters lived next door at number 20. We owe a debt of gratitude to Cathal as he researched deeply the 'facts' behind the 1880's Belfast Riots. A great Nationalist he became a Senator. Perhaps his best known writing was his little book, "Tales Of A Commercial Traveller".
The McBurney Family, Smithfield Legends. A Great Patriotic Irish family in every way. Reared in old Barracks Street , the family ran their famous music and record shop in the equally famous old Smithfield Market.
Billy McKee. Patriot. The Quiet Patriot and backbone of Belfast republicanism in the early Belfast troubles of 1969 and 1970's. Hunger Striker, soldier and unrepentant and unswerving follower of the principles of the 1916 Proclamation.
J. B. Kennedy. Baker, "The Walking Saint", his legacy was charity, king thinking and actions, A Falls area baker, (I won't say "West Belfast" for that is not the Falls but merely refers to a British political constituency
Frank McGlade, Socialist. A Marrowbone Republican Socialist who dedicated his life to the cause of working class people, a Gaelic scholar and all round 'gentleman '. Prominent throughout the Civil Rights agitation , unlike many who claim today to have been at Burntollet, Duke Street, etc, who do they think they are kidding?, they don't kid me..
William Harbinson Belfast Fenian.
Philip Harbinson Belfast Fenian .
Eddie "Bunty" Doran, Boxer. Reared in Little Italy................
Jimmy Steele, Patriot . "There can be no other 'ism, but republicanism". With no disrespect to anyone, this man , I have to say, in my opinion, was the most valiant principled Irish patriot that ever trod the streets of Belfast, and yet today, you would hardly hear his name mentioned, like someone is trying to air brush him out of history,.
Fr. Matt Wallace, P.P. Holy Trinity. Turf Lodge. Described by many as "Priest Of The People", he is responsible for the building of perhaps the finest Catholic church built in the past 30 years in Belfast. No airs or graces but readily approachable at any time.
Gerry Millar, Comedian supreme.When Gerry died a few years ago he had one of the biggest funerals that ever went up the Falls, many say his material was used by so called 'top comedians', he never got a chance on television or big stages, but he could fill any hall in Belfast twice over at the drop of a hat.
Dolours Price, Hunger Striker, ".. I like to see myself as one of those who were jeered, spat on, pelted with cabbages and namecalled as they were led to captivity after 1916..." more on Dolours can be read the Dolours Price Page on this site.
"Bo Birch", Singer and Showband talent. "Bo" Harry Birch was originally from Institution Place off Divis Street. In the 1960's he was lead singer with the hit Showband, "The Grenadiers". He carried on till his dying day in the entertainment life of Belfast, he, along with others, raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities. Just less than two weeks before his untimely death two huge cabaret events were held at St. Kevin's Hall and the National Club on the same night in tribute tio him, and Rushlight produced a 3 hour D.V.D of the St. Kevin's event.
Patsy Quinn, Sailortown Boxer.
Seamus Lavery, Poet and Piper. Seamus has contributed greatly to the literary aspects of Belfast, the working man's poet,.
Sylvia Pavis. Singer. Sylvia was reared in Sandy Row, and has graced the stage of every venue in Belfast raising many thousands of pounds for charity, her favourite way to get that extra coinage of the audience is to finish her act with "Penny Arcade", urging them to throw coins onto the stage for charity, a lady and real champion of good causes.
Gerry Langley, Singer - Songwriter. Famous in many ways in the entertainment business, but to me his song "The Streets Of Belfast", will be a classic.
"Squire" McGuire, OutDoor Relief Champion. 1930's. Squire lived in Cyprus Street right next to the back door of the famous "Long Bar", the upstairs rooms of the bar being site of "Radio Free Belfast" during the August troubles of 1969 . Squire, being very involved in street politics in his youth was a great source of information on the historic events of the Out Door Relief periods during what we now refer to as the 'Hungry 1930's" .
Paddy"Newry"Mullan, Pound Loney. I would have been eighteen and Ann seventeen, when I met her in 1962, she lived opposite my sister Annie in Beechmount Bungalows. My sister Myrtle and Ann were chums and it was through Myrtle that I was actually introduced to Ann, my first impression was, what a cheeky wee thing. But some how I got to like her cheekiness, and now forty three years later she is just as cheeky, she will kill me when she reads this. I hit it off straight away with Ann’s parents, Mary and Paddy Mullan, Mary was originally from the wee village of Mallusk and told great stories of her childhood there. A Presbyterian by birth she converted to Catholicism whilst a teenager working in a Belfast Mill, and was perhaps the best practising Catholic I ever met in my life. Paddy was born and bred in the old Pound Loney, at 17 Bow Street, he would remind you. He was better known as “Paddy Newry”, a nickname he acquired by having played for Newry Town football team for a while. Paddy was a very humorous, quick witted man, and very popular, he couldn’t walk down the Falls Road without a dozen or more people shouting “Hiya Paddy” across to him. “Joe”, he said to me one night as he sat puffing on his pipe, “Did I ever tell you about the night the priest cursed the corpse?” Mary blessed herself and lifted her eyes to the ceiling. Paddy told the story, “ Some years earlier a man who had a bad hump on his back died and he was being ‘waked’ in his Leeson Street home, but due to the bad hump the corpse had to be strapped down in the coffin otherwise it would have been in a near sitting up position. In those days the mourners would have been given drink by the deceased’s family and many would have stayed for hours telling yarns and joking. A new young priest arrived up from St. Peter’s to say some prayers over the body with the mourners, As they were all engrossed in their praying a local wag who was sitting near the coffin quietly cut the strap that was holding down the body. The body sprang up, right into the face of the young priest who let out a squeal and bolted out the door, he got stuck in the doorway with other frightened mourners. One of whom put his hand on the priest’s shoulder to try and get passed, the priest thinking it was the copse, screamed, “Let go of me you humpy bastard”. Paddy would roar laughing even at his own jokes, but Mary disgusted with his language told him to wash his mouth out.
Bridie Dolan. A heroine blinded in an unfortunate bomb accident during an earlier phase of the struggle for Irish independence. The Dolans a fiercely Republican family came frfom Durham Street. Bridie was also aunt to the young hunger strike heroines, Doloures and Marian Price.
"Gentleman" John Magee, Singer and Compere. John, reared in John Street and in his youth was a prolific member of the Henry Joy McCracken G.A.C. In the 1950's when the music scene was moving into Belfast 'Lounge' bars, John was responsible for setting up the earliest 'gig's' , Besides being an accomplished singer his friendly talent and style off 'compering' was and is always appreciated.
The Dancing Fagans, Ballymurphy Irish Dancers. This family from Ballymurphy Road (pictured below as kids with their parents) produced Irish Champions
Dancers one after the other, and perhaps are Belfast's most prolific dancers of the last five decades.
Fred Heatley. Historian. Involved in local history now for over 40 years, he is responsible for kindling the interest in many people. His little book "Henry Joy McCracken And His Times" written some 40 years ago sparked much local interest at a time when people were hungry for information on the 1798 period. His works include, "St. Joseph's, A History Of A Dockland Parish" , and the "History Of St. Patrick's" Donegall Street, sadly does not get the recognition he deserves .
Pat Murphy, Champion of good causes.
Gerry McCrudden. Singer - Musician,
Tommy Armour. Boxer. "The Shankill Bombshell". Tommy was typical of the many great Belfast boxers who were robbed of a chance to fight for a title. This was very evident in his non title fight with Eric Boone, the British Champion, he knocked Boone out in four rounds at Cliftonville Park at an open air event yet was denied an opportunity of a rematch for the title.
Seamus "Rocky" Burns, Patriot. Shot dead in Chapel Lane in an R.U.C ambush some 60 years ago. A colourful Swashbuckling character and jail breaker. A monument should be erected there to remember his valour and death.
Francis Joseph Biggar, Historian - Writer. Perhaps the most prolific writer on all matters concerning Belfast history and folklore.He left his works to the Belfast Central Library. not to the Linenhall Library as one might assume.
Sean McVicker (Bard Of Belfast), Singer - Songwriter. Sean was born and raised in Emily Place, in what was once known as the old "Fenian Gut" area of North Queen Street. A highly accomplished guitarist and singer, but in my opinon, a master ballad writer. His "Letter From Belfast", one among dozens of songs he wrote about Belfast, would bring tears from a stone. Sadly he is lost to us as he now lives in San Diego, California.
Tony Morelli, singer, formerly Witness's Showband. I have an interesting 1950's Belfast Telegraph write up describing Tony as "Belfast's Mario Lanza", is that praise or what ?
Jemmy Hope, United Irishman Socialist and Patriot..
Lt. Gen. Joe McKelvey. Murdered whilst in captivity at Mountjoy Jail , 8th December 1922, by a Free State traitors firing squad, Joe McKelvey born in Tyrone but moved to 26 Cyprus Street, Belfast, (The Cradle of Republicanism). Also to die with Joe that day was Liam Mellows, Richard Barrett and Rory O'Connor, each of them were from one of the four Provinces of Ireland. Nothing marks the place in Belfast of Joe McKelvey's Cyprus Street home.
A Short biography of each will appear here on this page soon...bear with me please and please keep sending in your nominations....