Memorial to Victims of the Great Famine, Ireland
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (345445)
Rockingham, Australia
May 7, 2023 5:09pm CST
I wrote about the memorial on Doolough Pass Road and how an Irish strike played a small part in ending apartheid in South Africa.
Another inscription on the memorial states: To commemorate the hungry poor who walked here in 1849 and walk the third world today. Freedom for South Africa 1994. It goes on: How can men feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings. Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa.
On a bitterly cold day in 1849, around 600 starving people left Louisburgh to walk to Delphi, over ten miles away. There, they hoped to meet with Poor Law officials to obtain food. They struggled over sheep tracks and through streams to reach Delphi but were told the officials were at lunch and couldn’t be disturbed. When they were eventually seen, they were given nothing and were told to return. Many died before reaching Delphi while a great many more died on the way home.
Such a tragic story but what a wonderful statement by Mahatma Gandhi.
12 people like this
8 responses
@LindaOHio (183856)
• United States
8 May 23
This is such a sad story. So much suffering in the world.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (183856)
• United States
8 May 23
@JudyEv Even in the USA. Most people don't think about the hardships that are taking place in their own country. I don't mean you.
2 people like this
@marguicha (224860)
• Chile
7 May 23
I am always shocked when I learn about the people that are hungry while in other parts of the world the food is wasted. And some people eat more than their share while others don´t get enough.
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@marguicha (224860)
• Chile
8 May 23
@JudyEv I know. I have always heard that there is enough for everyone.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (71093)
• United States
8 May 23
What an appropriate statement, and a question that has yet to be answered. ![](/Content/images/emotes/sad.gif)
![](/Content/images/emotes/sad.gif)
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@RasmaSandra (82298)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 May 23
It certainly is thanks for the story,
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91726)
• Arvada, Colorado
7 May 23
Yeah thanks for this Judy. It certainly was a travesty, that of which could have been helped but no.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30970)
• United Kingdom
18 May 23
They must have been so desperate to use their last strength for that walk, and then to be turned away - while the officials were eating, no less! I hope those officials had the 600 deaths on their consciences for the rest of their lives.
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