The National Famine Monument is a commemorative sculpture located in Murrisk, County Mayo. It pays homage to the victims of the Great Irish Famine, and in particular to the Irish who decided to take to the sea, heading for the United States to escape the misery of the time. An act of great courage, for the deplorable conditions of the voyage meant that there was no guarantee that they would reach the New World alive…
The National Famine Monument – young shanahan – cc
The sculpture is located directly on the road to the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre. Designed by John Behan in the 1990s, the sculpture was inaugurated in 1997.
The monument represents the “Coffin ship”, which was one of the many ships that took Irish sailors to America.
The boat is made of bronze, and represents a gaunt ship “inhabited” by human skeletons whose suffering seems to be written on their faces.
The sculpture is as symbolic as it is heavy. It denounces the tragedy experienced by the Irish, who were prepared to do anything to leave their Famine-hit Ireland. However, taking the boat was just as risky as staying in Ireland…
The ships transporting the Irish had restrictive and frightening policies: each passenger had to bring his or her own food for the journey, not exceeding 3 kilos. A terrible rule, since most Irish people at the time were too poor to buy their own food!
Many Irish people had decided to embark with little to live on, hoping to find the physical strength to survive the deprivation during the voyage (the crossing lasted over a week!).
Unfortunately, hunger, coupled with the terrible travel conditions, led to the deaths of many passengers. Hunger, illness, exhaustion: the toll was just as deadly as in Ireland!
This memorial pays tribute to the courageous Irish who tried everything to flee Ireland and its famine, with the aim of finding a better life. An obscure episode in Irish history, which unfortunately decimated more than 25% of the population at the time (between the Irish who stayed behind and those who tried to make their way to America).
Access to the monument is free and well worth a visit. Set in a wilderness setting close to the lakes, the National Famine Monument is an ideal place for contemplation. A must-see if you want to immerse yourself in Irish history…
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