Tracing the Great Famine in Ireland

The follow blog is accredited to the Irish Tourism Group - Thank you for the history lesson.

About the Great Famine

Between 1845 and 1852 Ireland’s population was reduced by about 20% due to the impacts of the Potato Famine, also known as The Great Famine or in our native language ‘An Gorta Mór’. It is estimated that about one million people died from starvation during this period and another million emigrated to America and other countries. It is no surprise therefore that the potato famine has left its mark on the country and remnants of this poignant period in Irish history remain evident to this day.

In this post we will provide you with the names and information of some of the best places that can be visited today in Ireland where you can learn more about the great famine.

Famine Memorial by William Nolan http://www.streetsofireland.com

Strokestown Park Famine Museum

Strokestown Park is an 18th century Palladian mansion, and home of the Packenham Mahon family from 1653 until 1979. The Famine Museum is located in the stable yard and was established when an archive of papers relating to the management of the estate during the 1840s was discovered. This collection is now regarded as the best archive on the Great Famine in Ireland and all documents are on display in the museum. The mansion house may also be visited and this gives a sense of what life was like for the richer, more fortunate people of this time.


The Workhouse Dunfanaghy & the Irish Workhouse Centre Portumna

Workhouses had an important part to play during the famine times in Ireland. These were the places that the completely destitute went as a last resort, when the only alternative was to die of starvation. Families typically ended up here if they were evicted from their homes due to non-payment of rent. Once families entered a workhouse they were split up, oftentimes never seeing their loved ones again. There are two great museums in Ireland that tell the story of the workhouse in authentic buildings that once served as workhouses for their communities; The Dunfanaghy Workhouse in County Donegal and the Irish Workhouse Centre County Galway.

Dunfanaghy Workhouse by nz_willowherb

The first inmates of the Dunfanaghy workhouse were admitted in 1845 and parts of the building were restored and converted to exhibition space in the 1990’s to tell the story of the famine in the area. This story is told through the Wee Hannah Exhibition, which details the life of local girl Hannah Herrity as she struggled through the famine years and lived for a while in Dunfanaghy Workhouse.

Portumna Children in Portumna Workhouse

The Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna is one of the most complete workhouses left in Ireland. The best way to see this exhibition is by guided tour where guides take you through every aspect of workhouse life from entry to the waiting hall to the girls and boys dormitories and laundry rooms. Discover what life was like for the inmates in what many refer to as the most feared and hated institutions ever established in Ireland.

Coffin Ships; Jeanie Johnston & Dunbrody

The ships that carried the emigrants escaping to North America and other countries were often referred to as Coffin ships due to the high mortality rate amongst lower class travellers. These ships were often overcrowded and disease ridden with shortages of food and water a common occurrence. Two of this type of ship can be seen in Ireland today, the Dunbrody in New Ross & the Jeannie Johnston in Dublin.

Jeanie Johnston at sunset by Daniel Dudek-CorriganJeanie Johnston at sunset by Daniel Dudek-Corrigan


Situated close to the Famine Memorial (pictured with the introduction) in Dublin’s Custom House Quay, the Jeanie Johnston made 16 emigrant journeys to America between 1847 and 1855, it carried more than 2,500 people with no loss of life which is unusual for a ship of this kind. Your tour guide will show you the ships main features and tell you stories about some stories of the passengers that travelled upon it giving a sense of what the arduous journey to America from Ireland would have been like at that time.

The Dunbrody

The Dunbrody is a similar type of ship moored at New Ross in county Wexford. Here you discover what life was like on board through guided tour with costumed performers and detailed exhibition models. Listen to accounts from a steerage and 1st class passenger as they explain the harsh realities of life aboard the ship. As well as the ship tour, at Dunbrody you can visit the Irish America Hall of Fame which details the contributions of Irish men and women to the history of the United States.

Skibbereen Heritage Centre

Skibbereen was very badly affected by the great famine, losing about a third of its population to starvation, disease and emigration to America. The heritage centre in Skibbereen has a great exhibition commemorating the Great Famine in Skibbereen. The Exhibition depicts the potato Famine through primary source accounts given at the time showing government policies and how they impacted the community. Reports from the relief committee and their efforts to lessen the suffering of local people are presented alongside reports of how the global community responded to the crisis.

Cobh Heritage Centre from WebCobh Heritage Centre

Cobh Heritage Centre
The port of Cobh was the most important port of Emigration from Ireland during the mass exodus between 1848 and 1950. Cobh Heritage centre details this exodus through informative exhibitions and several short films. The main attraction is a replica of cross sections of an emigrant’s ship showing what life was like for the various classes on board; the passengers cramped in steerage quarters, the comfortable first class cabins and even prisoner’s quarters where those who were being transported to Australia for their crimes were held. This exhibition tells you about the Irish famine and its causes and helps you to understand why so many people felt they had to leave their friends and family in Ireland for ever.

Bunratty Folk Park

On the grounds of Bunratty Castle you will find Bunratty Folk Park, a reconstructed village which includes shops, streets and houses that reflect the social status of their occupants, from the poorest one roomed dwelling not unlike those lived in by tenants during the famine period to a fine example of a Georgian Residence built for the Studdart Family in 1804. What’s great about Bunratty Folk Park is that reconstructed cottages from different areas of Ireland can be explored and their subtle differences encountered.

Bunratty Cottage Interior author fhwrdh FlickrBunratty Cottage Interior author fhwrdh Flickr

The National Museum of Country Life

The National Museum of Country Life is located near Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The Museum houses the National Folk-life Collection and portrays the lives of ordinary people in the hundred years between the Great Famine and the end of the 1950s. Here you will see the clothes that people typically wore during these times, their culture and traditions. See how people worked the land and sea and discover the trades essential for the survival of the community including the blacksmith, carpenter, thatcher, and cobbler.

Straw Hay & Rushes Exhibition; Museum of Country Life; Turlough Park

Get in Touch-
The best way to learn about Ireland is to visit yourself.

Cruising Trouble Free With Health Issues

Many thanks to SATH and Don Capa from Away U Go Travel for the following article.


CRUISING TROUBLE-FREE WITH HEALTH ISSUES, DIETARY NEEDS, MOBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND SIGHT IMPAIRMENTS

Cruising – Your Access to Fun

Today’s major cruise lines are dedicated to offering the finest cruise experience to guests with special needs. Most ships now offer young and old the quality of service and accessibility to make your voyage a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Because of recent tremendous growth in the cruise industry, fleets are now comprised of new, modern ships with all the accessibility features that today’s technology can provide.

A cruise vacation offers a comfortable, varied, multiple-destination experience with the need to pack and unpack just once. And each cruise guest can choose the balance of relaxation and activity that’s just right for her or him. That’s why cruises achieve the highest level of guest satisfaction of all vacation categories. And how especially important are those same features to folks with special needs.

• Today’s modern vessels typically feature accessible elevators with audible signals and tactile controls within easy reach.

• Accessible routes are available through most shipboard areas. Diagrams of such routes may also be available.

• Stateroom corridors and doors to designated cabins are fully accessible. Closet rods and shelves, desk, telephones and safe are within reach. Bathrooms have roll-in showers, grab bars, and accessible lavatories.

• Remote control, close-captioned TV’s and TTY kits are available. (Advanced requests may be required.)

• Provision is made for electric wheelchair recharging. • Boarding of oxygen tanks can be pre-arranged.

• Improvements are constantly being made in public area design and renovation. For example, most Spa saunas, steam rooms and massage rooms are now accessible. And guests unable to access the Spa often may have massage services rendered in their staterooms.

Discuss itinerary options with your agent, with respect to access-friendly port destinations and facilities for tendering ashore, where required.

Book your cruise with a knowledgeable travel agent able to communicate your requests effectively to the cruise line. You’ll find today’s cruise industry anxious to accommodate passengers with special needs.

It may be wise to have your agent inform shipboard infirmary staff of your medical status. Where advisable, confirm receipt of appropriate information at the infirmary on board.

Bon Voyage!!! You’ll soon be enjoying the sunshine, fresh sea air and pampering service today’s modern cruise liners provide.

Adventure North Indigenous Tour

We started our Indigenous tour out of our accommodation in Port Douglas, North Queensland, Australia.  While I had heard of this tour, I had never experienced it for myself.  This was a wonderful tour and I would certainly recommend it.

Our driver/guide, Cavel, picked us up in a vehicle just 6 months old.  It was very comfortable and he was a supportive and great guide,  We really enjoyed his stories.

Our first stop was at the art studio Janbal to meet with the Indigenous artist, Brian "Binna" Swindley where we had a lesson in dot painting.  I discovered that I must have left my artistic talent in kindergarten, but I gave it a try and had a great time.  Brian also sells some of his art work in the studio.  He told us that starting April, 2014, the guests who visit the studio will be able to do their paintings on canvas instead of the dried nut we used and eventually made into a key ring.  All the paints were made from natural ingredients native to Aboriginal art.  Although Brian was born deaf, he has mastered both conversation and playing the didgeridoo very well.


Once we finished our painting "class", we were on the way to meet our Indigenous guide, Roy to do the Wander tour into the lush rainforest of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park - Mossman Gorge. This is the home of the Kuku Yalanji people.  We were able to experience one of the world's oldest and most beautiful rain forests on the planet. It was an easy going walk  across board walks, tracks and bridges protecting the delicate landscape.  It was a little too cold to swim so we didn't have any takers for this experience.  We did learn a lot about the Indigenous history, the education of their young boys and girls, marriage traditions and we were able to see how Roy was able to obtain soap from the sasaporilla plant.  Our tour was completed and we had lunch at the new Mossman Gorge Centre. 

Once we finished lunch we were on our way again to meet with Brandon to find out more about hunting and gathering......Off with the long pants and on with the shorts as we prepared to choose our spears and head out into the crystal waters (okay the tide was out so it was mainly the mudflats of Cooya Beach) to gather shell fish, mussels and whatever else could be found along the way and in the Mangrove forest.  Some were hunters, some were gatherers and a couple of us watched the tide come in.  After the exercise, we all gathered across the street from the beach where Brandon's parents have their home.  They are very gracious hosts and treated us to tea and muffins while Brandon cooked the catch of the day.  Those who eat shell fish based in the spicy flavor of the catch.  A great end to a meaningful and educational tour.

The Thoughts of "H"

A few years ago, while traveling in Queensland, Australia, I was fortunate to meet a wonderful poet named Harry Donnelly.  Periodically I receive an original poem from "H" and I'd love to share this one with you.  His poems are always thought provoking and this one seems to fit for me (and maybe you?)

the thoughts of ‘H’

(the cleansing)

#281

He decided on a spring-clean at his place amongst the trees,

a neighbourhood of animal and sweet bird-life if you please.

A dust up…not too fancy, though a clean out just the same,

when he felt a certain feeling which he couldn’t quite explain.

It was kind of like a nagging at his present state of mind,

so he sat within sweet nature just to feel what he could find.

Almost immediately his thought process became forever clear,

this spring-clean had to start within that space between the ears.

So he stayed amidst the peace and calming comforting surrounds

of Mother Nature’s ever soothing ever meditative sounds.

Piece by cluttered piece his mind began its letting go

of the countless insignificant collective thoughts left there to grow.

He was cleaning out the stuff that over time had gathered there,

slowly incubating to a point — too much to bear.

 In a process oh so gentle so as to leave no scar or bruise

he was in a state of ‘all to gain’ with ‘nothing left to lose’.

It was quite a special happening…gifted in sweet nature’s way,

on a heaven-sent type morning of a glowing springtime day.

This cleansing of the mind was flowing gently cross the soul

to a place of free and easy where contentment had evolved.

Then…amidst his relaxation something niggled at his mind,

a shift was taking place and carefree thoughts were left behind.

As angry storm-clouds burst above…his gratefulness was doused,

by the sudden realisation — still had to clean that bloody house.

Harry Donnelly

(265)

20-9-13

An Update from the Bush

Thank you, Janine from Echidna Walkabout in Victoria, Australia

Here's an update from The Bush about a very special lady!












Marpeang is a lovely mature brunette (koala).  She has a special man in her life - Benbo - and together they keep watch over the north-east of our koala research area.  They spend quite a lot of time together, more than would be expected just for breeding.

Then, in May this year, Wildlife Guide Martin noticed that Marpeang was not looking well.  She had what appeared to be a respiratory infection.  He called Koala Researcher Donna, who is also a registered Wildlife Carer, and she went out that day to check on her. Donna decided that she had to come into hospital to be treated.

Roger and I were away in Scandinavia, but that didn’t stop our team.

Wildlife Guides Martin, Scott and Koala Researchers Mary, Donna and Melinda converged on the You Yangs the following day.  But Marpeang had other ideas – she was very high in her tree.  You can’t believe how difficult it is to capture a koala high up in the gum-tree – some of our trees are 30metres (100feet) high!   They tried the normal method, but she wouldn’t budge.  Martin climbed the tree, she wouldn’t budge.  After hours they have to give up.  For the next week every Guide and Researcher monitored her.



















<Martin starting to climb her tree


Finally, a few days later she was spotted low down and Donna dropped everything and was there within the hour.  They succeeded in capturing her.  But that was just the beginning of a long saga.

Read how Marpeang was treated and finally released (and see some amazing pics including an Xray)... at our blog: How important is wildlife care? Marpeang's story

A trip to Keukenhof Garden

The Netherlands is knows for windmills, wooden shoes and flowers.  Yes, tulips to be more precise.  In the past 64 years, over 50 million visitors from every corner of the world have discovered the delights of Kukenhof garden, the former estate of a 15^th century countess, located  in the town of Lisse.  With over 800,000 visitors expected this year, my daughter, Julie Brandt, and I counted ourselves among those.  While the cold winter delayed the tulips from opening, when we arrived in late April, the fields were becoming a rainbow of color.  In addition to more than 7 million flowers on display, there are four pavilions showing a fantastic collection of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations, and many other flowers.  This year the theme is Great Britain - the land of great gardens.  hile Keukenhof is only open from mid-March to mid-May, if you visit, you will be overwhelmed by a spectacle of colors and perfumes.

Keukenhof is easily reached from Amsterdam and was one of the stops on our AMAWaterways Holland cruises. 

Being Green

From Things That Make You Go Hmmm

I thought this was an interesting read. Brings back lots of memories and, yes, times have changed, but it wasn't bad growing up "in the day".

Things That Make You Go Hmm.

Being Green

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."
The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."
She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were truely recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags.
But too bad we didn't do the green thing back then.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
But that young lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint.
But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?
Please forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smartass young person.