Skibbereen, Ireland: A Flashback to the Great Hunger

Skibbereen, Ireland was devastated by the Great Hunger in the 1840s.  In fact, it is recognized as one of the hardest hit places in all of Ireland.  We traveled to Skibbereen to visit the Skibbereen Heritage Center where we were able to see for ourselves the hunger, poverty and resilience of the Irish people during this time period.  This excellent exhibit was full of facts, videos, replicas, artifacts and statues that gave a very accurate portrayal of what it was life for many people to live and survive during the Great Hunger.  I was extremely affected by the stories that were recreated in the videos.  It showed me again how Ireland is a country that has seen its fair share of war, poverty and devastation, but has arisen from the ashes of all of this to remain the beautiful country it has always been.  Its people have survived and overcame so much, and this exhibit brought that home for me. 

It was a rainy day, but it didn't matter! The Heritage Center is beautiful!!!

Entry to the Great Famine/Great Hunger Exhibit

This stirring statue portrays the horrors of the Famine many felt as they watched their loved ones die from hunger, poverty, and disease

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Ms. Johnson watches and listens to a video regarding the Great Hunger

Many people rioted due to lack of food, shelter and the unfairness in the government's treatment of them

Mrs. Simmons reads one of the many pieces of information in the exhibit

A drawing that was published in the newspapers during this time depicting the effects of the Potato Famine

Another drawing of the crushing poverty

A plaque honoring the dead of the Famine

An illustration to show the crowding of people on the Famine ships

 

We enjoyed our visit to the Skibbereen Heritage Center!