
Cleveland Remembers - Irish Famine Memorial
Posted by:
Shorelander
N 41° 29.672 W 081° 42.166
17T E 441340 N 4593896
A memorial remembering the sesquicentennial of the Irish Potato Famine in Cleveland's Flats.
Waymark Code: WM1435
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 01/07/2007
Views: 104
Located along the banks of the Cuyahoga River in the Flats near downtown Cleveland stands a tall Celtic cross made from granite. Positioned nearly under the Veterans Memorial Bridge, etched into the base of the cross are the words "Irish Famine Memorial - Dedicated September 16, 2000".
On the side overlooking the river is a description of those years of suffering for Ireland and her people:
Cleveland Remembers 'The Great Hunger' (An Gorta Mór)
Ireland's Potato Famine 1845-50
This memorial commemorates the passing of 150 years since the misery known as 'The Great Hunger', a carnage visited upon the Irish nation diminishing her population by millions. As a result of imposed political and economic structures, many of the Irish were driven to the potato alone for survival. Consequently, Ireland's people starved to death, or were forced to emigrate, many dying on 'coffin ships' en route. This is one of the most tragic and significant events in Irish history.
Lest we forget:
To those who died,
To those who came and enriched our Cleveland shores,
We dedicate this monument to you.
Erected on the 150th anniversary of the 'Great Hunger' by the Greater Cleveland Irish community in the year of our Lord, 2000.