THE CELTIC CONNECTION » MAY 1995
Page 7
How Did Ireland Lose Almost Half Her Population?
VANCOUVER — As a recently arrived Irish immigrant, all I have to do is utter one sentence and immediately it becomes obvious that I'm not long arrived from the "old country."
This often induces inquiries like: Why have so many people left Ireland? What's the problem between the Catholics and Protestants? Do people still speak Gaelic? The list seems endless.
As an ordinary person, I attempt to answer such inquires as pragmatically as I can, trying to give a balanced, rather than biased account. What becomes apparent over and over again, is that people are interested and want to know more about Ireland, its history, civilization and people.
One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1845, began the most tragic period ever in Irish history — The Irish Famine.
Many people ask how one and a half million Irish people could die because of the failure of one single crop — the potato.
For an ordinary person to answer that question simply and comprehensively is almost impossible. For any Irish person to forget the importance of this event is unimaginable.
In an attempt to remove some of the uncertainty of that period of Irish history and to allow people to remember the plight of their ancestors, The Celtic Connection
Presented a documentary film then Ireland Starved on April 15 at the T.B. Vets Club.
When Ireland Starved is a documentary of the "Great Hunger," when Ireland lost approximately four and a- half million of her
[>eople. Roughly half the popu-ation either fled or died of starvation or disease from 1845-1849.
As expected, the film profoundly affected those who attended. A mood of sadness (with an occasional hint of anger) could be felt in the room.
The explicit details of the political history of Ireland before and around that era, as well as the poignant reports from The Illustrated London News, speak of the dire conditions of those homeless, starving and destitute people, vividly highlighting the ehormity of the tragedy.
In a questionnaire completed afterwards by those who attended, everyone unanimously felt com-prehenslvely informed and deeply moved by what they saw.
One person's simple answer to the question: "What is your interest in Irish history?" highlighted the earnestness of the viewers' thoughts ..."Truth."
That comment is so appropriate. Media sources often give a certain angle to a story, politicians can be ambiguous, movies distort facts to allow for sensationalism, and the casual observer may not appreciate nor understand the dynamics of Irish history.
Those who attended the event
TOM OSULLIVAN
were able to appreciate the complexity of the issues and the need for more information and education.
In a letter from Aras an Uachtarain, on behalf of President Mary Robinson, congratulations and thanks were extended to The Celtic Connection for helping to inform people on such Irish issues, and for providing a forum whereby the people of Vancouver could near the President's recent address "Cherishing the Irish Diaspora," which she presented to both houses of the Oireachtas (the Dail and Senate).
Her response obviously highlights her commitment towards cherishing the Irish Diaspora. This speech, delivered this February and published in the March edition of The Celtic Connection, made many references to the Irish famine and the ensuing and continuing trend of Irish people travelling abroad.
In the speech, the President says, "In each country visited, I have met Irish communities, often in far-flung places, and listened to stories of men and women whose
Eride and affection for Ireland as neither deserted them nor deterred them from dedicating their loyalty and energies to other countries and cultures."
On the Irish famine, she says, "The weight of the past...and the start of the remembrance of the Famine will, in my view, point us towards a single reality: that commemoration is a moral act, just as our relation in the country to those who have left it, is a moral relationship. We have too much at stake in both not to be rigorous".
Personally, I'm very proud that here in Vancouver, we responded to these moral responsibilities. To The Celtic Connection, Bill Forbes and his fellow speakers who read the Presidential address, and to those who attended, your participation in this event is to be commended.
Presidential Response
Dear Maura,
I have read with interest of the various events organised and being organised by The Celtic Connection — it makes very impressive reading!
We have received copies of The Celtic Connection with the script reprinted. It will be very interesting to hear how your presentation of 15 April goes — I hope it will be well received.
With every good wish.
Yours sincerely. Bride Rosney Special Adviser to the President ARAS AN UACHTARAIN Dublin, Ireland
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This year, 1995, marks the 150th anniversary of the "Great Hunger," when Ireland lost approximately four million of her people. Roughly, half the population of Ireland either fled or died of starvation or disease d ur-ing the period of 1845-1849.
The cruel irony at the time was that Ireland had an abundance of food, sufficient to feed 16 million people but these provisions were shipped out under military protection to Britain.
When Ireland Starved is a documentary film by Radharc Films of Dublin produced with the assistance of AFrl (Action from, Ireland).
This often moving and disturbing material includes reporting from the Illustrated London News which documented the horror and anguish of this black period of Irish history.
To order your copy of When Ireland Starved
Complete the following and send a cheque or money order to: The cemc connection
WHEN
IRELAND
STARVED
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