1916 Societies Béal Feirste

28/05/2026

The 1916 Societies Béal Feirste is building across our city.

We are working to create a credible grassroots republican way forward built on community engagement, unity, and delivering for our people.

If you want to be part of real change and help bring community-based republicanism to the forefront, get in touch with us on Facebook or email [email protected]

Together we can build for a better future with an all-Ireland approach based on unity, equality, and national self-determination.

Join our campaign: One Ireland, One Vote.

The future is ours to shape let’s build it together.

27/05/2026

Shocking tis has happened like local business van attacked lower falls if a y one has seen anything get in touch with them they do a lot for the community and support local community groups and football teams.

Let's help them out ✊🏼🇮🇪

12/05/2026

The Volunteer

The gunfire split the still night air,
And from my side, the blood flowed red.
Informers' work had been well done, and an ambush had been laid.
My comrades turned back to my aid, and I waved them on again,
Escape for me was hopeless, why should they die in vain?
The soldiers soon stood around me, their unit I could guess.
Their blackened faces could not be disguised. The hated SAS.
Finish him off I heard one say. As a gun moved towards my head,
"Tomorrow they'll all sing of another Fenian dead!"
Just drop those guns down gently a voice called from the dark,
They wheeled and fired a volley, but it seemed they missed their mark.
The stranger stood before them now, with eyes that seemed alight.
The cowards turned and quickly fled as he raised his AR-15.
His face, somewhere I'd seen before though I couldn't tell just where,
But I knew from his green battledress that he was a volunteer.
He never said a word to me as we moved off through the night.
I was hoisted across his shoulders, a burden that seemed light.
"You'll be safe here!" At last, he said, as a cottage door drew near,
They're friends of mine, though we haven't met for many a lonely year!
He laid me gently down, beside a wall of slate and stone.
I turned to thank my comrade brave, but I found that I was alone!
When next I woke I found myself with a family staunch and true.
I told them of my comrade strange, but it seemed they already knew,
I gazed upon that parlour wall and things came clear at last.
And I thought of songs and stories heard often in the past.
And I knew then that our struggle was a fight, we could not lose.
For beneath his picture there it read.
"IN MEMORY OF FRANCIS HUGHES"

12/05/2026

The 1916 Societies Béal Feirste have been contacted by residents in the Springfield area regarding serious safety concerns at the zebra crossing beside the Springfield Avenue junction, which is heavily used by local people crossing to the shops at Blackstaff.

The crossing, marked by white road stripes and flashing amber Belisha beacons, is meant to give pedestrians priority over vehicles. However, residents have raised ongoing concerns about the condition of the road markings and the dangerous behaviour of some drivers, who are failing to stop or are driving through while people attempt to cross.

Over the years the markings have badly faded, making the crossing less visible to motorists. We have been in contact with the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) regarding these concerns and have formally reported the condition of the crossing. We have requested that the road markings be fully restored and made more visible as a matter of urgency.

In addition, we have also asked DFI to put forward plans to replace the current zebra crossing with traffic lights. Both local residents and ourselves believe this would provide a far safer and more effective crossing point on what is an extremely busy road with heavy traffic throughout the day.

Residents have reported drivers acting carelessly and continuing through the crossing while pedestrians are attempting to cross safely. Action must be taken before someone is seriously injured.

Reference Number W261451039

If you have any issues in your area, give our page a shout. If you would like to help within the community and stand up for local residents, join 1916 Societies Béal Feirste today 🇮🇪✊🏼

05/05/2026

We will be attending this later on a community led event for Bobby sands anniversary meeting in beechmount avenue at the Hunger Strike mural 6.45pm

Join our community-led event marking the 45th anniversary of Bobby Sands 5th May Meeting at the Hunger Striker mural Beechmount Avenue / Ancomri Street

There will be no political speeches just music and poetry followed by moving onto the Falls Road for a white line picket

This is an opportunity for everyone to come together and show unity across West Belfast

Everyone welcome

04/05/2026

The 1916 Societies Béal Feirste remember with pride the First Blanketman.

Born and raised in Belfast, Kieran Nugent grew up during the height of the conflict and became involved in the republican struggle at a young age.

As a volunteer, he was imprisoned in the mid-1970s and sent to the H-Blocks of Long Kesh, where he would leave an enduring mark on Irish history.

Today marks the anniversary of a defining moment. On the 14th of September 1976, Kieran was brought to the H-Blocks, stripped of his clothes, and in that moment the Blanket Protest was born.

Refusing to wear a prison uniform, he declared he would wear a blanket rather than accept criminalisation becoming the pathfinder for all who followed.

In the face of brutality and relentless pressure from prison authorities, he drew a line in the sand.

A line that the Blanketmen and women held with courage and determination through the harshest conditions.

We also remember all blanket, men and women who carried that struggle forward with ultimate sacrifice.

Died 4th May 2000.

Remembered with honour, respect, and pride.

Rest in Peace, Óglach Kieran Nugent faithful and fought. ✊🇮🇪

02/05/2026

1916 Societies Béal Feirste Today Remember
Óglach Finbarr McKenna Belfast Brigade IRA
Blanketman of H bolck 5 died by premature explosion While on Active Service 2nd of may 1987

Finbarr’s life is remembered as part of a generation marked by struggle, hardship, and sacrifice and one that continues today

In the H-Blocks he stood among those who endured immense suffering holding firmly to their beliefs and identity during one of the most turbulent periods in Ireland’s history

The path he and others walked has shaped the Ireland of today

Though the ground has changed and the challenges of our time take different forms the memory of those sacrifices remains

They are not forgotten and they continue to echo in the ongoing struggle for hope, dignity, justice, and a future in a 32 county socialist Republic envisioned by James Connolly.

We also send solidarity to his family and friends, and to all who knew him in our community.

Until that day, comrades onwards to the Republic ✊🏼 🇮🇪

Mary, Queen of the Gael, pray for him

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis

Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís

30/04/2026

Border poll is a farce with no real strategy or bring people together the only way is whole of Ireland have their say and take back what is rightfully ours

Onwards to the Republic ✊🏼🇮🇪

This 1973 Sinn Féin statement from Strabane is as clear as it gets.

The Border Poll is branded a “farce.” Republicans rejected it outright, not just because of the result, but because it confined the decision to the six counties. They argued the six counties had no right to decide Ireland’s future and even praised people for refusing to vote in it and rightly so.

Their position was uncompromising. Ireland is one nation, and only all 32 counties together could decide its future.

Fast forward to 1998 and today, Sinn Féin fully accepts the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, backing the border poll restricted to the very same six counties they once said had no legitimacy.
From calling it a “charade of appeasement” to campaigning within it, that’s not just evolution, They’ve done a complete U-turn on it, totally reversing the stance they took in 1973.

28/04/2026

The 1916 Societies Béal Feirste were on the ground this morning after hearing the call from CATU BELFAST to help resist the eviction of Caitríona McCrudden and her family in West Belfast.

What we witnessed was a family being forced from their home, their belongings placed outside, and a community left trying to pick up the pieces.

Members and local residents did what we could assisting the family, moving belongings, and standing in solidarity during an incredibly distressing situation.

No family should have to face this alone, and no community should accept this as normal.

This is a housing crisis, and it is deepening. More families are being placed at risk while waiting lists grow and secure housing becomes harder to access.

What happened this morning is not an isolated incident it is a warning of what is coming down the line for many others.

We must be the fightback.

That means working collectively to build a strong, broad front on housing and anti-eviction strategies.

It means creating a network within our communities that can respond quickly, support families, and challenge those in power.

Most importantly, it means being there for our people when they need it most.

We will continue networking and building towards working with everyone on this issue.

This requires unity across communities, organisations, and residents willing to stand together to defend families facing eviction and demand real housing solutions.

Communities standing together can make a real difference.

Organisation, solidarity, and collective action are essential if we are to protect families and confront this growing crisis.

The time to organise is now.