The Irish Hunger Memorial

[roguewave]

The Irish Hunger Memorial (or Irish Famine Memorial), the creation of artist Brian Tolle, is devoted to raising public awareness of the events that led to the "Great Irish Famine and Migration" of 1845-1852. It serves as a reminder to millions of New Yorkers and Americans who proudly trace their heritage to Ireland, of those who were forced to emigrate during one of the most heartbreaking tragedies in the history of the world. The Great Hunger" began in 1845 when a blight destroyed the Irish potato crop, depriving Ireland of its staple food. By 1847 millions were starving and dying. Between 1847 and 1852 hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrated to New York where they arrived at South Street Seaport and Castle Clinton. Today, almost 800,000 New York City residents trace their ancestry to Ireland.

[TONTONTINTIN.123]

Ben, well done. You don't believe it's in New-York.

BTW : you need a haircut.

[roguewave]

Martin, my mother has been saying that since I was 12 & got my first drum kit.

[albert]

Martin,

I keep coming back to this....I like it very much. ....Q. What caused the three "rays" in the upper right hand corner ?......Al

[roguewave]

Originally Posted by albert

Martin,

I keep coming back to this....I like it very much. ....Q. What caused the three "rays" in the upper right hand corner ?......Al

Al, I took my R8 to Leica today & we found three thin strands of a material they use to prevent light leaks in my shutter. Plucked them out & all is right with the world. Thanks for the comment. The setting is rather surreal, as it is a real field with a stone structure in the valley of these steel & glass towers.

[Doc Henry]

Great photo Ben,
Do you think if they find work in Ireland , they must moved to America ?

[carylwithay]

Beautiful shot. Good detail and framing.
Caryl

[TONTONTINTIN.123]

Ben, I was thinking that your hair were hanging beside your front lens. There was no offence.

[roguewave]

Originally Posted by TONTONTINTIN.123

Ben, I was thinking that your hair were hanging beside your front lens. There was no offence.

Martin, that's my secret to focusing. I let my hair do the work, that's why I rarely cut it.

Caryl. thanks for you comment.

Doc, I hope the Irish, nor anyother ethic group, would want to leave these shores, execpt for travel. Since most of the people in America are no more than second or third generation "natives", the tribal/ethnic instincts have less influence. For me, I'm sad that people had to emigrate (as my family did fron Russia), but that opened the door to unexplored opportunities in the New World. Yes, Americans are conflicted between their past, present & future, but that is what makes living in New York so special. People here want to invent & re-invent what it means to live, not just to carry on a tradition. You only need to witness the advent of Barak Obama and the incredible response he has generated to understand that our country is undergoing fundamental changes that most people, me included, don't really understand.

In words of Emma Lazarus, who lived across the street from my abode, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

[hiphop]

I agree with Martin, I would never imagine that you could find this monument in New York.
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Pierre-Olivier