Ireland was devastated by the great potato famine in the 1800’s. Potatoes had become a diet mainstay, and a source of income as well. When a blight destroyed the crops in 1845 they assumed it was a one-year problem, and “weathered the storm”. When the blight also ruined the next year’s crop it became devastating. Over four years at least one million died from starvation, and many more departed for other countries. Many landed in Boston, for example. The population of Ireland during that period dropped from 8 million to 4 million.

Those deciding to leave everything for a new country would go to the dockery area of Dublin to seek space on a boat. Often they waited too long, and many did not survive. The Famine Sculptures graphically capture their plight along the riverside. The man in the back right lost his family except his daughter, who was very weak from hunger. He carried her to the food line, but arrived too late the first day. The food was all gone. He arrived earlier the second day, yet was still too late. The third day he arrived in time to get her food. When he laid her down to feed her she was already dead. In a bit of morbid humor, the dog in the left rear was there to make those who died his own meal. So very touching.

The ship pictured on the far left was one of the boats used. Many perished on these boats, from disease and famine. For some reason this boat never lost anyone on its voyages.