16 October 1997 Edition
Flying its brightest colours
An Phoblacht vists the renovated Felons Club in West Belfast
by Laura Friel
And though they sleep
in dungeons deep
or flee outlawed and banned,
we love them yet,
we can't forget
the Felons of our land.
The eyes are averted. Soft, dark curls brushed away from the temple offset a rather severe moustache. Amongst the many republican portraits which bedeck the walls of West Belfast's Felons Club, it is easy to miss a picture of Roger Casement. Beside vibrant paintings depicting Bobby Sands and Pat McGeown, the portrait of Casement seems insignificant, almost dowdy. But of all the Republican curios acquired by the club, this painting is perhaps the most interesting.
One of the most famous Republican landmarks of West Belfast, the Felons is sited along the main Andersonstown thoroughfare, a short distance from Milltown Cemetery. Sandstone coping and a new green facade has given the club a distinctive upbeat appearance. Following extensive renovations, and on the eve of the club's grand reopening, An Phoblacht visited the Felons.
``The portrait was commissioned by Casement himself,'' says club manager Liam Shannon, ``shortly after he returned from the Belgian Congo. It was presented as a gift to Belfast republican Francis Biggar.'' Francis Biggar, a renowned Gaelic scholar and poet, was involved with `The Nation' a forerunner of today's `An Phoblacht'. Rescued from the obscurity of a pawnbroker's shop, the painting was purchased by the Felons club in the 1970s.
The story of the Irish Republican Felons Club began with the men and women of the 1940s campaign. With the closure of the old ceili halls and a decline of the GAA, there was little focus for Republican aspirations in the early 1960s. The idea of establishing an association of Republican ex-prisoners was initiated by Joe Campbell and Gerry Adams (senior). Both men had been held in Crumlin Road's A Wing in the late 1940s and the decision to contact former prison comrades emerged during an evening's reminiscence. Within a few weeks over forty ex-prisoners had been contacted.
On Tuesday, 21 April 1964, 54 Cyprus Street was packed. At 8.30pm the meeting was declared open and the Irish Republican Penal Servitude Prisoners Club was born. The inaugural meeting was attended exclusively by men but within a month women were welcomed into the association. Mary Nash became the first woman to be made an honorary life member. Subsequently many more women ex prisoners were admitted to full membership.
Significantly, the constitution did not simply look to the past but set its sights firmly on the future. Welfare and mutual aid was wedded to a pledge to keep alive Republican ideals and aspirations. The enthusiastic response was indicative of an underlying need. With the public expression of republicanism at a low ebb, the raison d'etre of the Felons may have been more social than political but for Republicans it provided an important focus.
A painting of the original building, at the present site, hangs in the bar. ``The building was derelict when the club took over the premises,'' says Liam Shannon. ``The walls were sound but the inside and roof had been gutted by fire.''
Originally a Methodist Meeting House, known locally as St. Laurence's Hall, it was a one storey structure with a small adjoining school room. ``Reggie Ferris and his sister May, the last of the old Methodist Community in the area, were caretakers for the Hall,'' continues Liam. ``When they moved away, the building eventually fell into disuse.''
Today, in sharp contrast to its humble beginnings, the Felons is a substantial two storey building. The original hall, now the downstairs bar, has been extended to include a reception area, lounge, function rooms, offices and kitchens. Encapsulated in bricks and mortar, the development of the Felons has mirrored the growing confidence of the wider Republican Movement. Like the Tricolour at the front of the building, the Felons flies its political colours proudly. ``We've never tried to hide what we are and who we are,'' says Liam Shannon, ``and despite numerous attempts to close us down, we're still here and we intend to stay.''
by Laura Friel
And though they sleep
in dungeons deep
or flee outlawed and banned,
we love them yet,
we can't forget
the Felons of our land.
The eyes are averted. Soft, dark curls brushed away from the temple offset a rather severe moustache. Amongst the many republican portraits which bedeck the walls of West Belfast's Felons Club, it is easy to miss a picture of Roger Casement. Beside vibrant paintings depicting Bobby Sands and Pat McGeown, the portrait of Casement seems insignificant, almost dowdy. But of all the Republican curios acquired by the club, this painting is perhaps the most interesting.
One of the most famous Republican landmarks of West Belfast, the Felons is sited along the main Andersonstown thoroughfare, a short distance from Milltown Cemetery. Sandstone coping and a new green facade has given the club a distinctive upbeat appearance. Following extensive renovations, and on the eve of the club's grand reopening, An Phoblacht visited the Felons.
``The portrait was commissioned by Casement himself,'' says club manager Liam Shannon, ``shortly after he returned from the Belgian Congo. It was presented as a gift to Belfast republican Francis Biggar.'' Francis Biggar, a renowned Gaelic scholar and poet, was involved with `The Nation' a forerunner of today's `An Phoblacht'. Rescued from the obscurity of a pawnbroker's shop, the painting was purchased by the Felons club in the 1970s.
The story of the Irish Republican Felons Club began with the men and women of the 1940s campaign. With the closure of the old ceili halls and a decline of the GAA, there was little focus for Republican aspirations in the early 1960s. The idea of establishing an association of Republican ex-prisoners was initiated by Joe Campbell and Gerry Adams (senior). Both men had been held in Crumlin Road's A Wing in the late 1940s and the decision to contact former prison comrades emerged during an evening's reminiscence. Within a few weeks over forty ex-prisoners had been contacted.
On Tuesday, 21 April 1964, 54 Cyprus Street was packed. At 8.30pm the meeting was declared open and the Irish Republican Penal Servitude Prisoners Club was born. The inaugural meeting was attended exclusively by men but within a month women were welcomed into the association. Mary Nash became the first woman to be made an honorary life member. Subsequently many more women ex prisoners were admitted to full membership.
Significantly, the constitution did not simply look to the past but set its sights firmly on the future. Welfare and mutual aid was wedded to a pledge to keep alive Republican ideals and aspirations. The enthusiastic response was indicative of an underlying need. With the public expression of republicanism at a low ebb, the raison d'etre of the Felons may have been more social than political but for Republicans it provided an important focus.
A painting of the original building, at the present site, hangs in the bar. ``The building was derelict when the club took over the premises,'' says Liam Shannon. ``The walls were sound but the inside and roof had been gutted by fire.''
Originally a Methodist Meeting House, known locally as St. Laurence's Hall, it was a one storey structure with a small adjoining school room. ``Reggie Ferris and his sister May, the last of the old Methodist Community in the area, were caretakers for the Hall,'' continues Liam. ``When they moved away, the building eventually fell into disuse.''
Today, in sharp contrast to its humble beginnings, the Felons is a substantial two storey building. The original hall, now the downstairs bar, has been extended to include a reception area, lounge, function rooms, offices and kitchens. Encapsulated in bricks and mortar, the development of the Felons has mirrored the growing confidence of the wider Republican Movement. Like the Tricolour at the front of the building, the Felons flies its political colours proudly. ``We've never tried to hide what we are and who we are,'' says Liam Shannon, ``and despite numerous attempts to close us down, we're still here and we intend to stay.''