Famine Memorial (Dublin) facts for kids
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| Location | Customs House Quay, Dublin, Ireland |
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The Famine Memorial, officially known as Famine, is a powerful monument in Dublin, Ireland. It stands on Customs House Quay. This memorial helps us remember the terrible time called the Great Famine. This sad period happened between 1845 and 1849. During those years, many people in Ireland died or had to leave their homes. They left to find food and a new life in other countries.
The Famine Memorial: Remembering a Sad Time
The Famine Memorial was created by an artist named Rowan Gillespie. He gave the sculpture to the city of Dublin in 1997. The memorial helps people remember the millions who suffered during the Great Famine. It shows how difficult life was for them.
What the Memorial Shows
The sculpture features six life-sized figures. They are made to look like people from the time of the Famine. These figures are dressed in old, torn clothes. They are holding onto their few belongings and their children. The sculptures look very thin and sad. They show the pain and hunger that people felt. They also show the difficult choices people had to make.
A Link Across the Ocean
In 2007, similar sculptures were put in Toronto, Canada. These figures are part of a place called Ireland Park. Both the Dublin and Toronto memorials show people leaving Ireland. They represent the many Irish people who had to emigrate. They left their homes to find a new life and escape the famine. These memorials remind us of their brave journey.
