Boston Irish Famine Memorial — Attraction in Boston

Throughout our history, tragedy continues to strike humanity. Whether it be a natural evil that exists out of chance or moral injustice that plagues the downcast, humans alike suffer. From this misery, a timeless call to commemorate the fallen echos through art. In “Memorializing the Unspeakable: Public Monuments and Collective Grieving” Caro Gold Calo explains the ultimate function of a memorial is to remember the unspeakable, “by personalizing tragedy, ensuring remembrance of the victims, and motivating people to take action to realize a more hopeful future.” This notable Memorial stands on the corner of Washington Street in Boston Massachusetts. The Boston Irish Famine Memorial honors one of the greatest social disasters that led to the largest loss of life in the 19th-century. Despite its critiques, this Memorial blends traditional architecture with contemporary design to both, pay tribute to those who endured Ireland's greatest tragedy and celebrate the success in paving the way for future migrant generations. Through the contrast of vertical and horizontal lines, open and closed form, and composition, the viewer is left with reverence for the countless lives lost and pride in Irish...

Located in a small patch of green space at the corner of School Street and Washington Street is the Irish Famine Memorial, sculpted by Robert Shure in 1998 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the devastating potato famine in Ireland in 1848.

The Memorial is a pair of bronze siblings. On one pedestal, you see three starving children in despair, representing the situation in Ireland during the famine (1845-1852). While on the other pedestal you find three healthy, happy and nicely clothed children, representing the American Dream.

This is an interesting composition, serving to remind of the plight of the Irish at this time in history. Conveniently located in between King's Chapel and the Old South Meeting House, you can easily have a quick look-see the Irish Famine Memorial when making your way between attractions as part of your Freedom Trail...

Both my husband and I are of Irish heritage. So, seeing the Famine Memorial was on our list of to-dos when visiting Boston for the first time. We actually stumbled across it quite by accident on our way to dinner our first night. It's in a rather unexpected yet highly visible place with plenty of foot traffic. Surely thousands of people pass it each day without giving it a second thought. So, be sure to stop and check it out if you see it - and be sure to read the plaques.

Having visited Ireland, we've seen many famine memorials and museums. So, it was very nice to see a memorial that approaches the history from the other side of the Atlantic. The plaques offered the Boston point of view and helped demystify the reasons behind Boston's strong ties to...