August 1977: The Queen Visits NI
August 1977 saw the birth of NFL Legend Tom Brady. The 7-time Superbowl champion was also NFL MVP on three occasions. In Northern Ireland, the MVP of the Royal Family paid a visit.
Political Developments in August 1977
The Queen began a two-day visit to Northern Ireland as part of her jubilee celebrations on the 9th of August. It was the first visit by the Queen in 11 years. Members of the SDLP refused to attend a reception in her honour.
On the 25th of August, the SDLP issued a policy document (Facing Reality) which called for greater emphasis on the 'Irish dimension'. This was seen to be a response to the perceived adoption of a greater integrationist stance by the British government. Later Paddy Devlin resigned as Chairman of the SDLP in response to the document.
August finished with US President Jimmy Carter giving a keynote speech on Northern Ireland. In the speech, he said that the American government would support any initiative that led to a form of government in Northern Ireland which had the support of both sections of the community. In particular, the support would take the form of trying to create additional jobs in the region. He also called on Americans not to provide financial and other support for groups using violence in Northern Ireland.
Shootings in August 1977
04/08/77 - Civilian manager, John McCartan (55), of the Andersonstown Social Club was shot as he was leaving the club premises, Belfast.
09/08/77 - Fianna Éireann (IRA youth wing) volunteer Paul McWilliams (16) was shot dead by a British Army sniper in the Ballymurphy area of Belfast.
09/08/77 - British soldier Louis Harrison (20) was shot dead by an IRA sniper outside the Henry Taggart British Army base in the Ballymurphy area of Belfast.
12/08/77 - British soldier Neil Bewley (19) was shot dead by an IRA sniper while on patrol in the Turf Lodge area of Belfast.
22/08/77 - Civilian William Martin (62) was kidnapped from his home near Crossmaglen by the IRA and shot dead. The IRA claimed he was a British informer.
28/08/77 - British soldier Jack Marshall (25) was shot dead by an IRA sniper while on foot patrol in the Ardoyne area of Belfast.
31/08/77 - British soldier William Smith (28) was shot dead by an IRA sniper while on a British Army mobile patrol in the Antrim Road area of Belfast.
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Bombings in August 1977
05/08/77 - There was a series of fire bomb attacks in Belfast and Lisburn, County Antrim.
10/08/77 - The IRA planted a small bomb in a garden on the campus of the New University of Ulster which was visited by the Queen as part of her jubilee celebrations. The bomb exploded after the Queen had left and it caused no injuries, nor was the Queen's schedule affected.
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Some recommended reading based on research for this instalment.