Immigration, Temple Bar, TCD (Sam)

 

On the morning of Wednesday the twenty-second, we primarily focused on Irish immigrants during the Potatoe famine, or the Great Hunger as they call it. We also learned about immigrants fleeing violence and oppression during various stages of the English occupation in Ireland. First we walked to the Irish famine memorial (seen below) which showed just how emaciated and weary the Irish people were during the famine. Near the memorial was EPIC: The Irish Immigration Museum. EPIC stands for Everyone Person Is Connected and the museum is heavily focused on this key aspect of Irish immigrants. The museum first  showcased the brutality in many points of Irish history, including battles as far back as the fifteen and sixteen hundreds in which English settlers forced many Irish people off their land and out of their country. Exhibits also showcased how far immigrants went with maps showing passages to the US, the UK, and even as far as Australia. Seeing the actual scope of the Irish Diaspora changed my perspective of Irish culture outside of Ireland and of how the famine and subsequent immigration is understood in Boston.The Museum also pointed out US presidents like John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden for their Irish heritage. For me it was a provocative experience that deepened my appreciation for my own heritage and ancestors. After the museum we walked to a docked ship called the Jeanie Johnston (seen below) which is a replica of a now sunken Immigrant ship. The tour guide explained that the crew of the Johnston were actually extremely kind and caring and that no passenger ever died on the ship in any of its voyages. However, they also explained that this was very uncommon and that upwards of three hundred immigrants could be crammed into converted cargo ships. Around thirty percent of the passengers would die on an average voyage, with some rates reaching fifty percent. It further displayed the bravery and tenacity of these immigrants and was yet another mind opening experience. Overall the immigration portion of our day was a very illuminating experience for all of us. It really inspired a true appreciation for the sacrifice people make to this day just for the hope of a better future for their families