Famine Remembrance Park facts for kids
The Famine Remembrance Park (in Irish: Páirc Chuimhneacháin An Ghorta) is a special memorial park in Cleaghmore, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland. This park helps us remember the terrible time known as the Great Famine. This sad event happened between 1845 and 1849. During this time, about half of Ireland's population either died or had to leave the country because there wasn't enough food.
Remembering the Past: The Park's Story
The Famine Remembrance Park was created as a team effort. The local town council worked together with people from the community. A person named Gerry Cleary designed the park. It first opened its gates in 1998.
Why This Place is Special
The land where the park stands, in Cleaghmore, Ballinasloe, has a very sad history. It was given by the Trench family. During the Great Famine, hundreds of people who died were buried here. Today, this important site is home to more than 8,000 different kinds of plants and shrubs.
Monuments and Memorials
Inside the park, you will find special monuments that help us remember the past. One monument is a dedication and memorial. It was designed by John O'Connor and built by the Ballinasloe Historical Society. There is also another monument, which is an urn (a type of vase). This urn was designed by Helen Comerford. These monuments help visitors reflect on the famine and its impact.
