The Legacy of Hunger: Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine

Abstract

The Great Irish Famine was a defining period for the country. With 1 million dead and 1.25 million having emigrated, the Famine changed Ireland forever. The population has never recovered, and it plays an important role in Irish national identity. In recent years, the loosening grip of the Catholic Church, the abortion and equal marriage referendums, membership of the European Union, the Brexit vote, and an ever-increasing Irish diaspora means that Ireland is becoming a more global, international country and a more important player in European and international events. As the country becomes more important, so too does its history. This thesis examines the nature of the Famine legacy in Ireland, by analysing several key forms of public commemoration, and zooming in on three museums, two exhibitions and three monuments. It asks how Famine commemoration has changed over time, examines the trends and the differences between localities, and asks how these heritage sites help to construct Irish identity. It becomes clear that a certain type of Irish-ness is being built, a character of resistance and fortitude against the victimisation and persecution by the colonial invader. The theories of dark tourism and the visual methodologies of Gillian Rose are used to shed light on commemoration of the Famine.