the gorta mor monument
the gorta mór ( great hunger ) memorial erected mile outside ennistymon on road lahinch commemorate memory of victims of great famine 1845 1850. dedicated on 20 august 1995 – 150th anniversary of famine. located across palladian ennistymon hospital, built on grounds of local workhouse (union of kilmanaheen), erected combined effort of ancient order of hibernians (aoh), board of erin, board of america , clare county council.
the monument designed artist co kerry , depicts account found in minutes of meetings of boards of guardians ennistymon union held in county archives. account centered on note pinned torn shirt of barefoot orphan boy left @ workhouse door on freezing cold morning of 25 february 1848. note read:
gentlemen,
there little boy named michael rice of lahinch aged 4 years. orphan, father having died last year , mother has expired on last wednesday night, buried without coffin!! unless ye make provision such. child in question @ workhouse gate expecting admitted, if not starve. -- rob s. constable
one side of memorial depicts child standing before workhouse door, while across head of anguished mother , 2 hands clenched in frustration or anger above sorrowful text of pleading note.
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