The artist Hossein Valamanesh always insisted the monument was not just about the Great Irish Famine but about all famine. For me, this is what makes it a great monument. Continue reading
Filed under Great Famine …
Julia Brien, A Fiery Orphan from Kilkenny
The tumultuous life and times of Julia Brien. Continue reading
Eliza McCready: A ‘Belfast Girl’ sent to Moreton Bay
She wasn’t simply an obscure name on a family tree. Her name appeared in the archives, documents from which I could determine meaning. Continue reading
About my Belfast Girls
Jaki McCarrick talks about the writing, at ‘white heat’, of her play, ‘Belfast Girls’. Continue reading
Poetry as Autobiography
Poetry and Paul Kelly’s preferences provide insight into the singer/songwriter’s mind. Continue reading
Mary McConnell, a Belfast Girl
Mary Mc Connell entered the workhouse in Belfast in July 1847 as an orphan and a pauper. Continue reading
From Armagh to Barrington: an Earl Grey orphan in Northern Tasmania.
Mary Ann McMaster came to Australia under the Earl Grey Scheme. Continue reading
The Famine Orphans, a Prelude to a Series of Profiles
In the eyes of Imperial social engineers, the Famine orphans were young marriageable women who would bring a stabilizing influence to a rough masculine colonial society. Continue reading
An Unfortunate Life: Rose Flemming, Irish Famine Orphan
Rosanna was typical of the Irish famine orphans. McClaughlin’s research shows that on average they married at 19 years, most to older men within three years of landing, and had nine children Continue reading
Famine Amnesia
By Frank O’Shea The word ‘amnesia’ was heard several times at the Famine round table in the Williamstown Town Hall on October 28. It was used to describe the way that Ireland seemed to have forgotten about the Great Famine of 1845-51 until it was brought to public discourse following the publication of Cecil Woodham-Smith’s … Continue reading