National Famine Museum facts for kids
| Músaem Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir | |
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| Established | 1994 |
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| Location | Strokestown Park, Strokestown, County Roscommon, Ireland |
The National Famine Museum (Irish: Músaem Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir) is a special place in Strokestown Park, County Roscommon, Ireland. It helps us learn about a very difficult time in Irish history called the Great Famine. This happened between 1845 and 1852. The museum keeps important records from that period.
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What is the Great Famine?
The Great Famine was a time when many people in Ireland did not have enough food. This happened because the potato crops, which many people relied on, failed year after year. The museum's exhibits help explain why this happened. They also show how food shortages can still affect parts of the world today.
Why Strokestown is Important
Strokestown is a very important place for understanding the Famine. There are two main reasons why:
- A Sad Event: During the Famine, the owner of Strokestown Park was a man named Major Denis Mahon. He was one of the first landowners to be killed because of the problems caused by the Famine.
- Important Records: The people who managed the Strokestown estate kept very careful notes. These notes recorded details about the Famine and about people who had to leave Ireland. The museum now keeps these valuable documents in something called the Strokestown Famine Archive.
History of the Museum
The Strokestown Park House and its land were bought by a group called the Westward Group in 1979. This group later created the museum. All the old documents you see in the museum came from the estate itself.
In 2015, the Irish Heritage Trust took over looking after the property. They got help from some people who supported the Westward Group. The museum was then updated and made even better. It officially reopened its doors in 2022, ready to welcome visitors and share its important story.
Other Famine Memorials
The Irish National Famine Museum has a special connection with the Grosse Isle and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site in Quebec, Canada. They are like sister sites, remembering the same history. However, this museum is different from the National Famine Memorial in Murrisk, County Mayo, and also different from a museum in the US called Ireland's Great Hunger Museum.
See also
