Ciaran Nugent

A mural dedicated to Volunteer Kieran Nugent, a notable figure in Irish republican history. The mural is painted on a red brick wall and framed within an arch-like design, incorporating Celtic motifs.

Portrait of Kieran Nugent:
The central figure is Kieran Nugent, depicted with a beard, long hair, and wearing a prison blanket.
He has one arm raised in defiance, symbolizing resistance.
The background of the mural resembles prison bars, emphasizing his incarceration.
Text on the Mural:

At the top, the inscription reads:
"VOL. KIERAN NUGENT" (Vol. stands for Volunteer, signifying his involvement in the IRA).
Below the image, another inscription states:
"THE FIRST BLANKETMAN", referring to his role in the Blanket Protest.
There is a quote in red letters:
"I'm not a criminal. The Brits will have to nail prison clothes to my back."
This refers to his refusal to wear a prison uniform, instead choosing a blanket as a protest against being classified as a criminal rather than a political prisoner.
Historical Context:

Kieran Nugent (1958–2000) was the first participant in the Blanket Protest in 1976 at Long Kesh (Maze Prison).
The protest was against the removal of Special Category Status for republican prisoners, who previously were treated as prisoners of war rather than criminals.
This protest led to a broader campaign of resistance in prisons, culminating in the 1981 Hunger Strikes.

Surrounding Details:
The sign on the top right corner marks the location as Rockville Street / Sráid Bhaile na Carraige, indicating this mural is in a republican area of Belfast.
The artwork uses green, beige, and prison-gray tones, reinforcing the prison setting.