Because it is slightly off the beaten path, only few come across the
Famine Memorial, a touching sculpture by the renowned Dublin sculptor Rowan Gillespie. The memorial is easy to find as it is just a few blocks seaward from
the O’Connell Bridge along the quays on the northern side of the Liffey river.
The Canadian connection with the site is marked by a large plaque
recognizing a donation on behalf of the people of Canada, which was a haven for
thousands of those who emigrated because of the Famine. There is a counterpart
of the sculpture in the Ireland Park at Toronto’s Eirann Quay. Five figures collectively
entitled “The Arrival” honor the 38,000 Irish immigrants who fled during the
Famine of 1847 and arrived in Toronto that summer. “The Arrival” is the work of
the same sculptor as the Famine Memorial.
The Memorial is the story of a destitute people overcoming unimaginable
hardship and suffering. The Canadian counterpart speaks to the kindness and
generosity of the Canadian people. It serves as a reminder of the trauma of famine, which still exists in
many parts of the world today and the consequences of the rest of the world’s
failure to respond to it.
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