Joe Graham recording visuals for later generations

 

President McAleese recieves Rushlight Films  From Martin Meehan on behalf of the people of Ardoyne.

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Joe Graham with his trusty camera.

Below is the crap that one big English Newspaper wrote about my film, "The Risen People"

Observer Special Northern Ireland Special

'Orange bastards' gaffe puts Sinn Fein on the defensive


Henry McDonald Sunday February 17, 2002 The Observer

A Sinn Fein parliamentary candidate described Protestant residents in north Belfast as 'Orange bastards' in an internal republican video.

Martin Meehan, a former IRA commander in Ardoyne, made the remarks on the republican propaganda film, which was sent anonymously to The Observer .

His comments undermine claims by Sinn Fein that the party is trying to reach an understanding with Protestants and unionists.

At the beginning of the tape Meehan is seen arguing with a line of riot police during protests against an Orange Order parade passing by Ardoyne last summer.

As residents remonstrate with police officers, Meehan intervenes and shouts to one local man: 'John, John, they [Protestants] get all they fucking want. They [the police] can corral us into our area, they couldn't corral them Orange bastards from stopping four-year-old children from going to school.'

His reference to four-year- old children is related to last year's loyalist protests outside Holy Cross Primary school, in particular the Protestant residents of Glenbryn, a small unionist enclave that surrounds the school.

In the video Meehan, who was once arrested in the Irish Republic after a gun battle with police and troops, appears to warn police officers about a potential riot.

When the police refuse to let one elderly resident through their lines close to where the Orange parade is about to pass, Meehan says: 'Do all youse want - you will suffer the consequences big time.'

The veteran republican stood for Sinn Fein in the South Antrim constituency in the last general election and increased the party's vote. He has been in the van guard of nationalist protests against Orange marches in the constituency and has campaigned against drug dealers in Antrim town.

The film begins with the Union flag coming down from a flagpole and being replaced with an Irish Tricolour. The opening credits then state: 'A Schanache Video Film'. It dissolves and is replaced with the words: 'A Rushlight The Belfast Magazine Video Production'.

It is understood that the video was not for public consumption, but for internal party education, as well as being shown to Irish-American supporters.

The bulk of the video concerns the protest and subsequent riot in Ardoyne following the Orange march on 12 July last year. The cameraman focuses on leading republicans from the north Belfast area, including a man named in Parliament as the IRA commander behind the 1993 Shankill fish shop bomb, which killed nine people.

The video also shows police officers under attack from Ardoyne, including several sustaining injuries during the disturbances. Intermittently, the film cuts to another march by republicans in west Belfast. During the parade the cameraman picks out Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams walking through his native Ballymurphy behind three rows of men marching in military fashion, wearing white shirts and black ties.

While the Orange bastards remark may have been said in the heat of the moment during the marching season, the comment contradicts Sinn Fein's official policy of being an anti-sectarian party.

More crucially, the remark flies in the face of recent Sinn Fein moves to assuage unionist fears about a united Ire land. At the World Economic Forum in New York, 10 days ago, Adams, accepted that republicans would need to win unionist consent in order to establish a united Ireland.

Adams repeated the need for republicans to become persuaders for Irish unity last Friday. This represents an ideological role reversal for Sinn Fein leaders who sold the ceasefire to the IRA rank and file in the early Nineties by claiming the British government would publicly persuade the unionists to support a united Ireland in return for a cessation of violence.

“Rushlight The Belfast Magazine”

Presents Shanachie Films

Joe Graham's Belfast Film Archives

Perhaps the biggest private collection in Ireland

Over 40.000 hours of Local & Irish History on DVD

For over thirty years I have been collecting, editing and recording footage of old Belfast, recording events , and presenting footage of such events in a hope of archiving aspects of our times and lives, how successfully,?, well with at least ten presentations from The People of Belfast and the Belfast community in Toronto, Canada, and loads of criticism from the establishment, I guess I must be doing something of value or merit.  and as you can see by the photo above I am getting closer to Hollywood., USA. Ha Ha.

But I do think there are here some records here that will be useful for later generations, or indeed for present day people to enjoy and look back on scenes now long gone, the old districts, the old Falls, Ardoyne, etc etc. All DVDs here are priced £5 each plus postage.

NEW DVD NOW AVAILABLE

 Over the past few years I have interviewed, on Camera, about 50  Half Bap Little Italy men and women whose ages ranged from 50 to 90 years of age to get from the horses mouths as it where , the peoples history of these two old Belfast districts. And now 26th June 2007 I have completed my task. Everyone of these people lived in the Half Bap or Little Italy, most if not all of their lives, so this history is the authentic story of a people who's claim to fame is that they were "Belfast One people", BT1, being the postal code for the district. I have put their memories together on a 2 Hour DVD so that later generations won't just know where in Belfast the Half Bap or little Italy was, but they can hear the history from those who lived there instead perhaps some Joe Bloggs. This DVD is now available  by e-mailing rushlight123@hotmail.com  Tel. Joe Graham 208 90626631, The price is £5, including delivery to anywhere in the world no matter where you live...as I have always said, Rushlight is about People..not Profit, if you can't afford the fiver you can have one for nothing

If the topic is on Belfast I am 90% sure to have it. just feel free to ask Telephone or e-mail.

Below are some titles of Rushlight Films available on DVD at anytime To Inquire about any film Tel. 90626631 or mail rushlight123@hotmail.com

The Hidden History of Belfast The 1920's Pogrom.

In this two hour DVD Joe Graham brings you through the bloody and brutal origins of the six county statelet known by some as "Northern Ireland". An honest account of the 1920 'troubles', how criminals were enlisted as 'policemen' to reek havoc and terrorise a Catholic minority. Unionist gunmen like Joe Arthurs, Fred Pollock, Geordie Scott, Snatch McCracken, Jack Mawhinney were set loose like mad dogs(sound familiar?). How the Statelet produced a police murder squad , ran by Harrison and Nixon the two highest ranking policemen in Belfast., their infamous actions recalled, the brutal murders of Pat and Daniel Duffin. Malachy Halfpenny, Sean Gaynor, Ned Trodden, Willie Kerr, The McMahon Family, the Arnon Street Massacre, the Weaver Street Atrocity, to name just a few. The role of the infamous Buck Alec Robinson, whom 'historians' now would attempt to re-invent as some sort of quaint character who merely kept a couple of toothless lions as pets, just as Hugh Orde, of the P.S.N.I recently described the serial murderer Michael Stone as "Accentric" ???? not satisfied with trying to rewrite history  they are now attempting to redefine the dictionary. This Dvd, as was always the case with "Rushlight The Belfast Magazine", in consideration of its integrity, is of course neither 'granted ' nor 'funded', "The lessons for our tomorrows are written in our past ...those who ignore them are doomed to repeat them". 

OLD BELFAST. . Rarest footage of Belfast through the years, dubbed with Bobby Hanvey’s Downtown Radio interviews with Joe Graham and a selection of Joe’s favourite songs. This DVD shows Belfast footage going back to the 1920's, 30's, through to the 1960's,  truly a collectors item for lovers of old Belfast. If you don't like this then your not from Belfast 

“FOREVER YOUNG” The Unveiling of Ballymurphy Mural in memory of Patrick Mulvenna and Jim Bryson. Republican parade. Includes some old unique footage of the Market area  and historic references by speakers. This DVD I am very proud to say, helped finance the completion of the Ballymurphy murals.As you know I was reared in Ballymurphy and I have this wee soft spot in my heart for "God's Little Acre". I grew up with Jim, worked with him on many building sites before the troubles,

“OLD GREENCASTLE MEMORIES”. Nostagalia and folklore. Music and craic with locals. All in aid of the Building Fund for the new St.Mary's Church at Greencastle. This is truly at look at an old district now totally unrecognisable.

“ SAILORTOWN MEMORIES“. Unique photographia and interviews. History and folklore great boxers like Patsy Quinn Recalled, and loyalist hardliners like Buck Alec Robinson. And a re-union celebration of ex-residents at the Dockers Club. A real walk down Memory Lane if you came from the old district

“ MEMORIES OF THE HALF BAP AND LITTLE ITALY” Interviews with ex-residents, photographs old footage and a re-union at the Dockers club.  Never has so much been recorded from the actual people who lived in those old districts which sadly now have been wiped off the face of Belfast and handed over to the money men to play their profit game.

“A PLACE CALLED THE NEW LODGE”. Old Footage and more recent shot by Rushlight, laced together to present a fly on the wall view of a Belfast Community, nicely dubbed with pleasant songs, some rare scenes of the New Lodge Road can be seen, including an accident at the corner of New Lodge and Ludlow Street when a child was knocked down some 50 years ago.

“GHOSTLY TALES OF OLD BELFAST”. Narrated by the master shanachie himself Joe Graham. This little D.V.D captures many of the old Belfast stories , we all probably first heard sitting around the fireside at our grand parents knees. the is the story of the "Flying Half Crown", "The Imaginary Friend," "The Forewarning", "The Ghost of Sandy Row", "The Ghost of Smithfield" to mention just a few. Plus a visit to the grave of the Country Singer Hank Williams at Montgomery Alabama.

“THE RISEN PEOPLE”. A riot at Ardoyne, during the Holy Cross School dispute, filmed by Joe Graham, showing the one sidedness of the ‘police’ toward the Ardoyne people, This film brought world wide interest, and still is , not to mention death threats to the film maker, and other threats from unlikely quarters..I will repeat that ...yes from the most unlikely quarters, but they didn't stop it or me. filmed By Joe Graham, Rushlight The Belfast Magazine

“WHO FEARS TO SPEAK OF ‘98”. This film was made in 1998 to commemorate the 200th Anniversay of the 1798 Rebbellion of The Gallant United Irishmen. Camera work by Joe Graham. Jnr. Stories narrated Joe and his daughter Deborah Graham of local heroes, Henry Joy McCracken, Jemmy Hope, Rody McCorley, William Orr, Willie Nelson, James Burns, etc, of the noble rising in 1798. Filmed at places of Local historic interest. Donegore Hill, Mallusk, Templepatrick, Antrim Toomebridge, High Street Belfast, where the brave Henry Joy, and others were hanged, Maghera, Co. Derry, where the gallant Watty Graham sacrificed his life for Ireland's cause, and Poleglass, former site of the noble Teeling family., Filmed BY Rushlight.

“OUR WEE SCHOOL”. The History and folklore of St. John’s old School, Colinward Street, Springfield Road, Belfast.(Now sadly Gone). Peoples history from the people, Michael McLaverty, Bill Harvey remembered, A charming and relaxing 3 Hour visit back to childhood memories Filmed By Rushlight.

“HISTORY OF St. KEVIN’S SCHOOL BELFAST” History and folklore of the OLD St. Kevin’s School, Falls Road, Belfast.(Now Gone). Stories of the murder of the Duffin Brothers, The legendary teachers,etc. Oral history on DVD. Filmed By Rushlight. 3 hours long.

“THE OPENING OF THE NEW St. KEVIN’S SCHOOL”. The celebration’s and ceremony of the opening day of the new school, St. Kevin’s Primary Falls Road Belfast. Filmed By Rushlight.

“OLD ARDOYNE RE-UNION”. History and folklore from former residents of the “Old Ardoyne” district,(now redeveloped). 1969 recalled. Filmed by Rushlight.This was a memorable event at which I gathered the stories from the old people of how life was 70 years ago in the area, the hard times, the ghost stories, the German bombing and bodies brought to St George's Market and Falls Road Baths which were used as a morgue. A fantastic film which involved the whole people of Ardoyne and Glenard, which culmanated in an open air mass being held at Flax sreet, and a crowded evening re-union at "Ta Locky's" at Flax Street.

“ANDERSONSTOWN REMEMBERS 1969”. Against the backdrop of the unveiling of the Bearnagh Drive Monument, pageantry and ceremony. Joe Graham interviews local people and political activists on the ‘war’ and its origins in 1969, and women who took part in the breaking of the infamous Falls Curfew in July 1970,  Some unique footage also used. Filmed on multi cameras By Rushlight. THERE ARE ALSO TWO OTHER DVD'S ON ANDERSONSTOWN.

“OLD FALL’S RE-UNION”. I won't call the Old Falls the 'Lower Wack' or 'Lower Falls', because these were tags given to the area by the British Forces, and sadly some people parrot them. Craic, Memories and music from former old Falls residents at Donegall Celtic venue re-Union. Among the speakers is The legendary Mickey Marley who relates his days going around the Falls with his famous roundabout. Filmed By Rushlight.

THE FLYING COLUMN RE-UNION. AT St MATTHEW'S HALL SHORT STRAND. A unique get together of the remaining band members once led by the great Eamon Largey and Kathleen Largey.

RUSHLIGHT 25TH CABARET CELEBRATIONS AT St. KEVIN'S HALL.1997 . A 3 Hour DVD featuring local stars like , Tony Moreli, John Magee, George Burrows, Gerry McCrudden, Wheelbase The Band, Jim Brown, Geraldine Doone, and many others. No publication in the history of Belfast has put on such a celebratory  occassion to honour its readers.

A NIGHT AT CARRICK HILL. THE OLD CLUB, NOW SADLY GONE.

A NIGHT AT THE MICHAEL DWYERS CLUB. THE OLD CLUB.

BALLYMURPHY AT PLAY. GREAT HUMOUR

A PLACE CALLED ARDOYNE. A LIGHT HEARTED FLY ON THE WALL VIEW . Very, very entertaining with local talent.

IRELAND MY HOME. RAREST FOOTAGE OF OLD IRISH SINGERS AND SONGS, this is indeed a rare one.

THE IRISH DANCERS. LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL IRISH DANCING.

A TRIBUTE TO BO BIRCH. A 3 HOUR EPIC OF GREAT LOCAL TALENT,

IMAGES OF THE OLD FALLS. RAREST FOOTAGE OF POUND LONEY AND FALLS AREA.

THE McGURK'S BAR ATROCITY. 30TH ANNIVERSARY

A TRIBUTE TO GERRY McCRUDDEN. AT OLD ENGINEERS CLUB

OVER THE MARROWBONE. from Sacred Heart Parish Hall

THE TRAVELLERS.

THE INFORMERS.

THE JAMAICA STREET RE-UNION, AT THE SHAMROCK CLUB.

SHORT STRAND NOW AND THEN

REMEMBERING RUBY MURRAY. LIFE AND MUSIC PLEASANT FILM.

A NIGHT AT THE NATIONAL CLUB, QUEENS STREET. GREAT ENTERTAINMENT.

A TRIBUTE TO BIG JOHN MAGEE. THE GENTLEMAN OF MUSIC.

A TRIBUTE TO LOCAL BAND WHEELBASE. 30TH ANIIVERSARY.

In this next DVD "Best Of Belfast Craic" veteran Republican Martin Meehan(above), stars as James Connolly in the Phoenix Drama Society's production "James Connolly"

THE BEST OF BELFAST CRAIC. INCLUDES RINTY MONAGHAN 1946 WORLD TITLE FIGHT At The King's Hall, Plus Gerry Millar's Stand Up Comedy Act, and MORE!!, this is what I mean when I talk about archiving our folklore .. and what ???... all for a fiver ?.. delivered to your door???, Rushlight is about people .. not profit, as you well know. 

WHERE THE LAGAN FLOWS. INCLUDES GILROY /CALDWELL FIGHT.

RUSHLIGHT IN AMERICA. A 2 HOUR TOUR WITH GREAT MUSIC

REMEMBERING BRAVE TOM WILLIAMS. A tribute to the late great Tom Williams. Our Heritage archived to be kept for later generations.

THE OLD DOCKERS. SAD AND POIGNANT AT DOCKERS CLUB.

RUSHLIGHT IN BRAMPTON CANADA. FOR THE BELFAST RE-UNION, organised by “An Irish Hand”, great craic.

LAST NIGHT AT DUNMORE STADIUM. A TRULY GREYHOUND HISTORIC EVENT, neither the BBC or UTV thought it worth while to record this historic working class  night. 

BARRACK WALL MEMORIES. LOCAL RESIDENTS MEMORIES.

A NIGHT AT THE WEST BELFAST CLUB.

A NIGHT AT THE DONEGAL CELTIC CLUB.

A NIGHT AT THE OLD PETER PAN CLUB.

A NIGHT AT St. JOHN'S PARISH HALL.

A NIGHT AT St. MICHAEL'S PARISH HALL.

A NIGHT AT HOLY PARISH CROSS HALL.

THE HORSEY MEN. WHEELING, DEALING AND RACING, another aspect to old Belfast ways,

THE SPINNING WHEEL. MUSIC OF GERALDINE DOONE.

SEAN McVICKER IN BELFAST. MUSIC OF THE BARD OF BELFAST.

BOXING FROM THE FELON'S CLUB, FALLS ROAD.

BATTLE OF BELFAST. BOXING FROM CRUMLIN STAR SOCIAL CLUB ARDOYNE.

Plus many many more on all aspects of Irish history, 1798, 1916, The Civil War, The Famine, The Troubles, etc, etc............. to contact Joe..  rushlight123@hotmail.com

Or Tel 208 90626631