Millions of New Yorkers and Americans can trace their roots back to Ireland. During the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852), one million perished and even more were forced to flee their Irish homeland. The Irish Hunger Memorial located in Battery Park City was created in 2002 to commemorate and raise awareness of the Irish famine and world hunger.
The Irish Hunger Memorial is one of the most architecturally stunning monuments in the city, as it incorporates native Irish vegetation, stones from each county in Ireland, and an original cottage donated from the Slack Family of County Mayo, Ireland. The inside of the memorial has a calm, peaceful aura and you’ll quickly forget you’re in Manhattan. At the top, you’ll find views of Lady Liberty, Ellis Island and Freedom Tower. Even the size of the memorial (half acre) has historical significance, as the Irish Poor Law of 1847 denied relief to anyone owning a half acre or more of land.
Perhaps most meaningful–the famine quotes, sayings and poems etched on glass between rows of Kilkenny limestone. The Irish Hunger Memorial is absolutely striking in the evening when the words are beautifully illuminated against the darkness of night.
Slack family cottage
Stones from Ireland
Irish Hunger Memorial and Freedom Tower
