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“The Peoples Gallery”
Hailing from Derry in Northern Ireland the Bogside Artists is made up of three mural artists, Tom Kelly, his brother William Kelly, 
and Kevin Hasson. Together they painted and transformed Rossville Street in the Bogside area of Derry in Northern Ireland into a pictorial history lesson of the time of the “troubles”. In all twelve murals were painted called “The Peoples Gallery” depicting at varying times the history of Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Unionists in their fight for what they believed in for their country and democracy. Catholic Nationalists fought for unification with their southern Irish heritage in joining The Republic of Ireland. The Protestant Unionists of Northern Ireland believed in keeping ties with Great Britain. This ongoing battle erupted into ongo
ing riots within both countries. This war runs far deeper than Catholics versus Protestants between 1969 and 2002. Atrocities on both sides were committed and The City of Derry in Northern Ireland which was made up of mostly Roman Catholics because of their close proximity along the border to the Republic Of Ireland was not immune to such infractions. Their murals are famous throughout the world depicting the victims of their right to democracy. Most of the murals were taken from real life photography and transformed into the murals you see today. Their depictions of life in Bogside during this unrest of different beliefs were painted between 1994 and 2008.
While Northern I
reland is made up of a majority of Protestants, Catholics also reside here with both sides clashing in riots which lead up to “Bloody Sunday” in 1972 when the British sent in their own military to break up a demonstration of civil rights protestors and ultimately murdered 14 protesters who were unarmed at the time. Seven of those shot were teenagers and some were shot in the back trying to flee from the relentless British Army in their attacks on innocent people. Not one British soldier was wounded in the assault and witnesses and marchers along with journalists maintain that the paratroopers fired into a fleeing crowd or those attending to the wounded.
Before this time in 1969 The Battle of Bogside took place with riots erupting between the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Northern Irelands Police force) and the residents of the Bogside community made up of Catholic Nationalists. The Nationalists were protesting the Apprentice Boys March who celebrate the protestant victory for the Siege of Derry in 1689. These riots continued for three days with stones and Molotov Cocktails being thrown at the RUC and in return the RUC responded with tear gas on the residents of Bogside. After three days of rioting and the RUC exhausted The British sent in the military at the request from the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland to separate the two sides from any more violence. In all over a thousand people were injured and over 350 RUC suffered serious injuries as well. This riot in turn sparked riots in Belfast with both side taking casualties with the loyalists expelling 1500 Catholics from their homes on Bombay Street by burning them to the ground. These events lead to an armed conflict between the two religious sides and State forces that lasted until 2002. In total since 1969 over 3600 deaths have accured as a result of sectarian violence. Although today there is little violance and the presence of the british forces have all but withdrawn, there remains that stigma of the past that will over time through generations to come begin the healing process between Nationalists and Unionists.
During these times several songs were written by prominent recording artist’s depicting in their words of the accounts that happened on Bloody Sunday. U2 recorded a song named Sunday Bloody Sunday as well as John Lennon who wrote his version under the same title. Paul McCartney also contributed his version with Give Ireland Back to the Irish which was banned by all media sources in Great Britain and also the BBC. Others have also recorded their versions of songs over these times of despair.
Today the three artists can be found in their studio right where most of the riots took place. Here you can find a presentation of the murals via slides and film as they are getting painted as well as exhibitions of art from up and coming young artists. The Bogside Artists also conduct art workshops with local Catholic and Protestant children in order to promote cross-community understanding. Tours of the murals are held three times a day every day. There are also signed posters to purchase of the murals themselves. Well worth the visit as these artists lived to tell the tale.
These murals of the Bogside Artists of Derry have shed a tear for all those that suffered or died during those times of the “Troubles”
The Petrol Bomber
Painted in 1994, this mural depicts a boy in a gasmask used to protect him self from CS gas used by the RUF. In his hands is a petrol bomb
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Bloody Sunday Mural
Painted in 1997, this mural shows Jack Duddy’s body being carried away from the scene of the shooting. The first death of Bloody Sunday
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Death of Innocence
Painted in September 1999 this mural is of 14 year old Annette McGavigan who was shot in the back of the head by a British soldier on September 6 1971. To date no soldier has been charged in her death.
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The Runner
This mural painted in July 2006 is dedicated to the memory of Patrick Walsh, depicting a typical boy running away from the tear gas which was constantly thrown at the protestors.
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The Saturday Matinee (the Rioter)
This Mural painted in 2001 is a typical situation depicting the many riots that occurred on a Saturday afternoon.
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Bloody Sunday Commemoration
Painted in January of 1999 commemorates the death of all 14 people who lost their lives on Bloody Sunday on January 30 1972
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List of those killed on Bloody Sunday
Patrick (‘Paddy’) Doherty (31)
Gerald Donaghy: age 17
John (‘Jackie’) Duddy: age 17
Hugh Gilmour: age 17
Michael Kelly: age 17
Michael McDaid: age 20
Kevin McElhinney: age 17
Bernard (‘Barney’) McGuigan: age 41
Gerald McKinney: age 35
William (‘Willie’) McKinney: age 26
William Nash: age 19
James (‘Jim’) Wray: age 22
John Young: age 17
John Johnston: age 59…Died later from complications because of his injuries
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Well it was Sunday bloody Sunday
When they shot the people there
The cries of thirteen martyrs
Filled the Free Derry air
Is there any one amongst you
Dare to blame it on the kids?
Not a soldier boy was bleeding
When they nailed the coffin lids!
John Lennon/ Yoko Ono…Sunday Bloody Sunday
More murals and history of the Bogside artists can be found at http://www.bogsideartists.com/
All pictures used with permission by the Artists
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