Irish America

Irish America

Great Hunger

Canada Recognizes Irish Famine Memorial

By Michael Quigley

May/June 1996

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The Irish in Canada have won a major victory over the Canadian Government on how the national historic site at Grosse Ile should be developed. The small island in the St. Lawrence River, 48 kilometers downstream from Quebec City, once served as a quarantine station, and is the burial site of thousands of Irish immigrants who died of cholera in 1832, and of typhus, ship fever, … [Read more...] about Canada Recognizes Irish Famine Memorial

The Kindness of Strangers: Remembering the Tragedy of the Brig St. John in 1849

By Christine Kinealy
IA Newsletter, October 12, 2024

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On 6 October 1849, emigrants on board the Brig St. John, caught their first sighting of American land as their vessel approached the coast of Cape Cod. The vessel was carrying as many as 140 passengers from counties Clare and Galway, Their destination was Boston where they would disembark the following day. The voyage had been uneventful and, to celebrate their safe arrival, … [Read more...] about The Kindness of Strangers: Remembering the Tragedy of the Brig St. John in 1849

The Ghosts of Gross Ile

By Aliah O'Neill
June / July 2010

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One of the major ports of entry for Irish Famine immigrants, Grosse Île lies in the St. Lawrence River, just east of Quebec. It contains the largest Famine cemetery outside of Ireland. When the authorities in Quebec heard news of ships arriving with sick passengers, they quickly set up Grosse Île as a port of entry and quarantine station at which all ships were required to … [Read more...] about The Ghosts of Gross Ile

SONGS OF THE
GREAT HUNGER

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To mark Ireland’s National Famine Commemoration Day (Sunday, May 16) Songs of the Great Hunger shares the music of Brendan Graham performed at famine commemoration events in Ireland, Australia, and Canada. The program explores the historical experiences of Irish emigrant communities during the Great Hunger that inspired classic songs such as Ochón an Gorta Mór, Crucán na … [Read more...] about SONGS OF THE
GREAT HUNGER

What Social Distancing Meant During the Famine

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By Niall O'Dowd, PublisherSocial distancing during the famine was leaving your home and hearth and catching the boat to America.The hovel you left behind had a dirt floor and was often shared with animals. Dysentery, cholera, malnutrition was rife. Ventilators were the holes in the roof to let the smoke from the tiny fire escape. Once there was nothing to cook the fire went out … [Read more...] about What Social Distancing Meant During the Famine