It's hard to grasp the immensity of the Irish famine that began in 1847. A single crop failed the potato, a blight caused the potato to rot in the ground. Most of the Irish countryside relied on this single item in their diet for consumption and through trade for other foodstuffs. When it failed they had nothing.
These statues near the National Immigration Museum bring home this stark reality. The callous way the famine was treated by the British laid the groundwork for Irish independence. Located across the street Epic Immigration Museum it sets the tone for what you're going to see in the museum.
The Museum Located in the Dublin in the Docklands neighborhood give a detailed look at Irish immigration throughout the world and how every corner of the world has been touched by this Island. During the Famine, about 1.25 million starved to death and another 2 million left the country, going to all parts of the world. The positive effect on art and culture around the world is unmeasurable.
Here in Tennessee, we have a town called Erin which is Gaelic for Irish. This town was established by a group of immigrants who are honored in the museum for their service in the American Civil War. It shows how interconnected the world is. As this group of immigrants, the next group will also continue to make America a better place.
Off the beaten tourist path in the Docklands, closer to the harbor these two places will show you the link between the world and Ireland.
No comments:
Post a Comment