A dip into the archive — A sad day in the Springhill Community.
Yesterday we shared images from the Lelia Doolan collection of children playing in the streets of Springhill. Happy smiling faces masked the reality of life for the same children who witnessed the destruction and brutality of the British army against their families and community. One of those in the images was 16 year old Paul (Jason) McWilliams…
A dip into the archive – Springhill Community – Elements of Love and Friendship
We recently shared photographs from the Lelia Doolan Collection which included images of Bobby Sands. They are part of a collection of photographs donated to the archive by Lelia Doolan, a keen photographer who chronicled life in Ballymurphy between 1974-77, while studying for a PhD in anthropology at Queens University , titled “Elements of Love and…
A dip into the archive – ‘Not in my name’
Fr Des was far-sighted. He tuned in to how a particular use of words can influence how people think about a political conflict. He realised that how a conflict is described and understood governs how people feel and react. In Springhill Community House during the conflict, he was forever encouraging his Ballymurphy neighbours to recognise…
A dip into the archive – The Lelia Doolan Photo Collection.
Fresh images of Bobby Sands have emerged after almost 50 years in photographs taken by Lelia Doolan. The photographs show Bobby taking part in an August 1976 protest against the withdrawal of political status for prisoners in Long Kesh. They were discovered by Ciaran Cahill, while working on Fr Des’ archive ‘The People’s Archive’ in Springhill Community…
Remembering Archbishop Noel Treanor RIP
We were saddened to hear of the sudden death of Archbishop Treanor last week and we send our sincere condolences to his surviving family at this time of loss. Archbishop Treanor or Bishop Treanor as he was before taking up his new appointment as Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union was no stranger to Springhill…
Where there’s life there’s hope.
The suicide awareness garden of hope was a tapestry of color, each flower a silent testament to resilience. Today’s planting event was buzzing with activity, a vibrant echo of the message that resonated throughout the space: Where there’s life, there’s hope. But hope can feel distant when you’re shrouded in darkness. When the weight of the…
A dip into the archive – A Letter from a prison cell – The Maze Escape 1983
“A prisoner of war can legitimately try to escape from his captors. It is even considered by some that prisoners of war have a moral obligation to try to escape, and in most cases such attempts are of course motivated by patriotism.” (International Humanitarian Law Databases) You can imagine the fury of the maze prison offers…
Complementary Therapies
Complementary Therapies now available. Our team of complementary therapists are here delivering 5 x one to one therapy sessions in Reflexology, Aromatherapy massage and Homeopathy and are now taking bookings. Please ring only 90326722, no PM’s or messages please, to arrange an appointment. Clients must meet the victims and survivor’s criteria to avail of this…
A dip into the archive.
The People’s archive project is going well. Our archivist has been busy cataloguing much of the documents but there is more to be done. We had a quick dip into the thousands of photographs in the archive and here is just a couple for you to have a look at. Do you know who the…
Fr Des Wilson Audio Diary 30th May 1973
Fr Des advised everyone he met to record their story, for their family to look back on or to be deposited in a community archive. He kept his own diary’s both written and recorded. At night he would retire to his bedroom at the top of his three story house, smoke 2 Gauloises French cigarettes,…
Fr Des Wilson Audio Diary August 1971
Fr Des advised everyone he met to record their story, for their family to look back on or to be deposited in a community archive. He kept his own diary’s both written and recorded. At night he would retire to his bedroom at the top of his three story house, smoke 2 Gauloises French cigarettes,…
The Peoples Archive – Fr Des Wilson
It was great to be in the company of so many friends at a presentation of Fr Des’ archive in St Comgalls School. Thanks to Falls Community Council for hosting us today in their beautifully renovated St Comgall’s School. It was a fitting venue for the exhibition and presentation. On Display were just a few…
Fr Des – The Way He Saw It.
Springhill Community House would like to thank Vincent Kinnaird for his labour of love film Fr Des – The Way He Saw It which was screened on NVTV this evening. Vincent is a local film maker/producer from West Belfast, his father Seamus was originally from Ballymurphy and I’m sure crossed paths with Des somewhere in…
Back to the Future Family Fun day.
Springhill Community House is Celebrating 50 years of delivering much needed education and health services at the heart of the Community. To celebrate our achievements and thank our community we held a Back to the Future Fun Day featuring some 1970’s festival favourites including football, cribby, rounders, 50+ tea party, bingo, bouncy castles and a…
Official Launch of The People’s Archive – Fr Des Wilson
It was great to see so many friends at the launch of The People’s Archive – Fr Des Wilson in Conway Education Centre. As well as an amazing exhibition of posters, photographs, and artifacts we were treated to a presentation by Springhills archivist Tiarnan O’Muilleoir who gave an outline of the archive project and examples…
Remembering Noelle Ryan
Remembering Noelle on the 8th anniversary of her passing. Noelle Ryan was a remarkable human being who always saw the good in people. She dedicated her life to the service of the people of Belfast. Originally from Dublin Noelle joined a Domician convent in Drogheda, it was an enclosed order that had no direct communication…
Happy 50th Anniversary Springhill Community House.
In August, 1966, at a few days’ notice, Bishop William Philbin removed Fr Des Wilson from his post as Spiritual Director at St. Malachy’s College and sent him to St. John’s on the Falls Road – as a junior curate with responsibility for Whiterock-Ballymurphy, one of the most deprived areas in Western Europe at the…
Ballymurphy Massacre Inquest Verdict
Brief Summary of Justice Keegan’s verdict. INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT Fr Hugh Mullan & Frank Quinn both were “innocent men” , use of force was “clearly disproportionate” and violation of article 2, investigation was inadequate. They were shot by the military and were unarmed. Joan Connolly, Noel Philips, Joseph…
Great oaks from little acorns grow.
Great oaks from little acorns grow. “Just as the acorn contains the mighty oak tree, the Self has everything it needs to fulfill its destiny. When the inner conditions are right, it naturally emerges.” Derek Rydall This is National Tree Week, 21st – 27th March 2021. Organised by the Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte,…
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day
Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh. The story of Saint Patrick is fascinating from boy slave to Patron Saint of Ireland. He was born into either a Scottish or English family in the fourth century. He was captured as a teenager by Niall of the Nine Hostages who was to become a King of all Ireland….