Patricia Black (Nov 28 1972-Nov 15 1991)
Patricia Black was born on the 28th of November 1972, the second eldest of a family of four. Joanne, Liam, Peter. She was educated at Saint Oliver Plunkett Primary School on the Glen Road west Belfast, and Saint Genevieve's Secondary School. Patrica left school at the age of 16 and at 18 she joined the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann, as a member of the Belfast Brigade.
She very quickly earned the respect and admiration of her comrades, who were inspired by the determination and dedication of this young woman. Her work as a volunteer was intelligence gathering and full time operational involvement, which she hid from all around her. In fact, few knew of her, even in the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann.
She died, along with fellow Volunteer Frank Ryan, on November 15th, 1991, when an improvised explosive device she was carrying detonated prematurely in near London. A British Army military band had been playing in theatre on St Peter's Street in St Albans which the pair had planned to target when the device unexpectedly exploded killing her and Ryan.
At the funeral of Frank Ryan a Sinn Féin leader, Jim Gibney, stated "Frankie and Patricia are not alone. They are representatives of a generation of Ireland's youth who have acquired the skills to remain hidden, who come forward when required to do so. How will the British defeat this invisible force?"
A political mural depicting a uniformed armed female republican in uniform in the Lenadoon area of Belfast is jointly dedicated to Black as well as Laura Crawford, Bridie Quinn and Mairéad Farrell.
A memorial to Black and Ryan was erected in their honour at the Sally Gardens Centre in Belfast. At it's unveiling in 2007, West Belfast MLA Jennifer McCann stated "They are our heroes and our inspiration. They are no longer with us but let us take their vision forward
The youth, beauty and smile of Patricia didn't die in a foreign street, when she was killed alongside her comrade Frank Ryan. In the hearts and minds of her friends and comrades it will inspire and strengthen our resolve. We cannot replace for her family the gift that was Patricia, we can only say, in a lonely cell, in silent streets, and many homes, a sad tear was shed. Her gentle smile will be with us forever.
Patricia Black is buried in a family plot in Miltown Cemetery, Belfast.
She very quickly earned the respect and admiration of her comrades, who were inspired by the determination and dedication of this young woman. Her work as a volunteer was intelligence gathering and full time operational involvement, which she hid from all around her. In fact, few knew of her, even in the ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann.
She died, along with fellow Volunteer Frank Ryan, on November 15th, 1991, when an improvised explosive device she was carrying detonated prematurely in near London. A British Army military band had been playing in theatre on St Peter's Street in St Albans which the pair had planned to target when the device unexpectedly exploded killing her and Ryan.
At the funeral of Frank Ryan a Sinn Féin leader, Jim Gibney, stated "Frankie and Patricia are not alone. They are representatives of a generation of Ireland's youth who have acquired the skills to remain hidden, who come forward when required to do so. How will the British defeat this invisible force?"
A political mural depicting a uniformed armed female republican in uniform in the Lenadoon area of Belfast is jointly dedicated to Black as well as Laura Crawford, Bridie Quinn and Mairéad Farrell.
A memorial to Black and Ryan was erected in their honour at the Sally Gardens Centre in Belfast. At it's unveiling in 2007, West Belfast MLA Jennifer McCann stated "They are our heroes and our inspiration. They are no longer with us but let us take their vision forward
The youth, beauty and smile of Patricia didn't die in a foreign street, when she was killed alongside her comrade Frank Ryan. In the hearts and minds of her friends and comrades it will inspire and strengthen our resolve. We cannot replace for her family the gift that was Patricia, we can only say, in a lonely cell, in silent streets, and many homes, a sad tear was shed. Her gentle smile will be with us forever.
Patricia Black is buried in a family plot in Miltown Cemetery, Belfast.