Bernadette

Bernadette Devlin (later McAliskey) began her career in Irish politics on April 17th 1969 by winning a by-election for Mid-Ulster. In August of the same year she took a leading role in the "Battle of The Bogside". For this she was given a six-months jail sentence. After her appeal was turned down, she was arrested on June 26th 1970 and taken to Armagh women's prison. She was released on October 21st, having served four months of her sentence. On January 16th 1981, she and her husband were gunned down by hooded men in their home near Coalisland, County Tyrone. Although shot seven times she amazingly recovered.
This painting shows her at her best. While it is very much a tribute to Derry women in general, it is mainly a portrait of Bernadette. Our first wall painting in colour is a tribute to a woman of extraordinary courage.