Page 15 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 120

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A Candle at Solstice: Great Irish Famine Remembrance

remembrance but also of hope. victims of the Famine but also of the 1,490 Famine emigrants on
Submitted Article
Those who fled Ireland, like the the survivors, those who had the their final journey on Irish soil
he National Famine Museum tenants of Strokestown House, resilience to endure and prosper, before those who survived the
Tand the Embassy of Ireland in were met with compassion and whether at home or abroad.” Famine Ships sailed into Grosse
Ottawa lit candles on the Winter humanity, notably in Canada and Ambassador McKee paid tribute Ile, Quebec, their last gathering
Solstice, 21 December at sunset in the United States. They and to Galway-born Breda Kelly who place before they were dispersed
(4pm) at sites of significance in later generations added to the Irish is part of the Embassy team, and across Canada and beyond.
Ireland and Canada in remembrance diaspora, now including some 70 her brother. “Breda approached me • Grosse Île (tbc): Thousands
of victims of the Great Irish Famine million around the world with Irish with this idea, and I immediately of Irish were quarantined on Grosse
and in commemoration of those ancestry.” recognized how powerful it was.” Isle from 1832 to 1848. It is believed
who came to their aid. Ambassador McKee noted Ms Kelly recalled: “It was an that over 3,000 Irish people died on

Ambassador to Canada, Eamonn that “at risk to their own lives, idea that both my brother Gerry the island and that over 5,000 are
McKee, and Director of the National the humanitarian actions of and I had as we stood at the top currently buried in the cemetery
Famine Museum, Caroilin Callery, Canadians demonstrated the of that hill in MacDonald Gardens there; many died en route.
said, “There is a universal message power of compassion extended Park in the centre of Ottawa, one In 1974, Grosse Île was
in our simple gesture this Winter to the stranger on the shore. Their of the few but extremely cold days recognized as a site of national
Solstice. That those strangers on compassion created hope where in November. The ground was historic significance. The island’s
our shores in need find hope in our there was despair. Opportunities covered in snow and the wind was tragic history is commemorated by
compassion, and a new future in the in Canada offered the new arrivals howling across the park. There the Irish cemetery, the quarantine
opportunities that we offer them.” the prospect of decent lives and was a couple with their two little station building (1847), a monument
success. Canada’s humanitarian
Members of the public are children, playing and sliding down to the doctors who worked at the
welcome to join us. The sites of response in 1847 remains an the hill, oblivious to the history and station (1853), and the Celtic cross
significance are listed below. inspiration to us today, a universal the plight of the lost souls buried (erected in 1909 by the Ancient
message of the power of kindness
Ambassador McKee noted that, beneath our feet. We were both Order of Hibernians).
in transforming the lives of all
“traditionally in Ireland, the Winter moved to tears in that moment. Our • Black Rock, Montreal
those in need, those searching for
Solstice is a symbolic moment family always light a candle on the (tbc): The plaque at this mass
hope, opportunity, and the promise
of remembrance and renewal. graves of our family members over grave reads: “In 1847, six thousand
of a brighter tomorrow.”
From the time of Newgrange five Christmas, and we thought it would Irish people, seeking refuge in a
thousand years ago to today, we Ambassador McKee noted be nice to remember these souls new land, died here of typhus and
mark the shortest day of the year that since then, “Ireland too this Christmas, too.” other ailments, and were buried
as an end and a beginning. Many has prospered, as we can see in Candles of remembrance will be in mass graves. The stone marks
people recall lost loved ones at this this, the hundredth year of our lit at the following locations: approximately the centre of the
time of year. We light a candle as an Independence. Our population has • The National Famine Museum at cemetery. Immediately to the east
act of remembrance and a symbol reached 5.1 million, or including Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon of here, twenty-two hospital sheds
of hope.” the 1.89 million in Northern in Ireland at the Glass Memorial had been constructed. Many Grey
Ireland, almost 7 million. Our Nuns, several priests, and also John
Caroilin Callery said that “we society embraces the future with Wall. This is the Trailhead of the
light the candle in a spirit of confidence. We remember the National Famine Way starting point Continued on page 17