National Graves Association, Belfast facts for kids
The National Graves Association, Belfast (Irish: Cumann Uaigheann na Laocradh Gaedheal, Béal Feirste) is an Irish republican group. It takes care of and looks after the graves of some Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers buried in cemeteries in Belfast. This group is separate from another one called the National Graves Association in Dublin.
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What the Association Does
The first group like this in Belfast started in the mid-1930s. Sometimes, when members were in prison, the Belfast branch became temporarily inactive.
The main goals of the National Graves Association, Belfast, are:
- To fix and look after the graves of all those who died for Irish freedom.
- To make a list of these graves.
- To help people respect those who died for their country.
Since it began, the association has looked after the graves of republicans buried in Belfast. They have put up new monuments, fixed old ones, and made sure graves are marked and cared for. They also successfully worked to move the remains of Tom Williams to a new burial place.
In recent years, the group has completely rebuilt what is now called the New Republican Plot. This plot holds the remains of 77 republicans. These individuals died while involved in republican activities or during imprisonment. The association also looks after the County Antrim Plot, which has the remains of 34 IRA volunteers. The Harbinson Plot, with five IRA volunteers, is also under their care. They also maintain other republican graves, some from as early as the 1920s. These graves often have the Red Hand of Ulster symbol.
Many Belfast republicans are buried in their family graves. These graves are not usually looked after by the association. However, the group tries to help local groups care for family graves that might need repair.
How the Association is Organized
The association has a committee of eleven members. These members are republicans from all over Belfast. Some recent members include Joe Austin, Desi Kennedy, Ann Murray, Loretta McKee, Stephen McGuigan, Brendan McFarland, Gerry Mc Clory, Briege Wright, Roseleen Walsh, Jennifer Mc Cann, and Pól Wilson.
Graves They Care For
Most of the work done by the National Graves Association, Belfast, happens in Milltown Cemetery. The graves they directly care for include three main republican plots. They also look after graves of IRA volunteers who died in the 1920s and during the Northern Campaign in the 1940s. These graves are marked with the Red Hand symbol.
Below is a list of the main graves and plots currently cared for by the association.
Harbinson Plot
William Harbinson was a fenian who died in 1846 while in Belfast Prison. He was buried at Portmore, Ballinderry. In 1912, a Celtic cross was put up in Milltown Cemetery to remember him. It also honors other republicans who were imprisoned in County Antrim jails. This plot holds the remains of five IRA volunteers: Joe McKelvey, Sean McCartney, Terence Perry, Sean Gaffney, and Seamus Burns.
County Antrim Memorial Plot
The County Antrim Memorial was revealed 50 years after the Easter Rising. It remembers republicans from Antrim who died. Thirty-four IRA volunteers who died while involved in republican activities in the late 1960s and early 1970s are buried here.
New Republican Plot
In 1972, the National Graves Association, Belfast, bought the land for what became the New Republican Plot. The first burials here happened in July of that year. This plot holds the remains of 77 republicans. Some of these individuals died during a protest fast. Among those buried in this plot are: James McDade, Bobby Sands, Joe McDonnell, Kieran Doherty, Sean McIlvenna, Mairéad Farrell, Dan McCann, Sean Savage, Pearse Jordan, Thomas Begley, and Pat McGeown.
Other Graves
The National Graves Association, Belfast, also looks after 33 other graves. These include the graves of Seán McCaughey and Winifred Carney.
Image gallery
- Graves under the care of the National Graves Association, Belfast
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Harbinson Plot
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County Antrim Memorial Plot
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Grave of Winifred Carney, a socialist and fighter in Dublin in 1916
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Grave of Ned Trodden
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Grave of Sean Martin
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Grave of Sean Gaynor
