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
Great Hunger
SONGS OF THE
GREAT HUNGER
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
By Niall O'Dowd, Publisher Social 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 … [Read more...] about What Social Distancing Meant During the Famine
Phoenix Remembers the Great Hunger
The 2019 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, November 3. Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, Josepha Madigan T.D., made the announcement in July. “This year’s commemoration represents an opportunity to not only recognize the work … [Read more...] about Phoenix Remembers the Great Hunger
In the Shoes of Refugees
Walking in the footsteps of 1,490 Irish exiled in 1847. In 2017, and again in 2019, I was honored to be part of a small group of five historians who were invited by Caroilin Callery of the Irish Heritage Trust to follow in the footsteps of 1,490 refugees from the Great Hunger. As a historian, I have researched and written extensively about the Famine since completing my Ph.D. … [Read more...] about In the Shoes of Refugees