Boston Irish Famine Memorial was Unveiled in Boston on June 28, 1998

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Photo courtesy of Leo McLoughlin

On Sunday June 28, 1998, the Boston Irish Famine Memorial was unveiled at the corner of Washington and School streets in the city's Downtown Crossing district.  More than 7,000 people attended the ceremony.

Commemorative Booklet issued on June 28, 1998 by BIFM Committee

Joining Committee Chairman Thomas J. Flatley and members of the committee were special guests of the day, including Ireland's Minister of State Seamus Brennan, Massachusetts Acting Governor Paul Cellucci, Boston Mayor Tom Menino, and leaders for numerous Irish organizations in Massachusetts.

Stonehill College President Rev. Bartley MacPhaidin gave the invocation, and music was provided by the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums. 

The Memorial by artist Robert Shure juxtaposes an Irish family starving in Ireland with another Irish family striving for success in America.  Eight narrative plaques encircling the Memorial tell the story of the famine and the Irish triumph in America.

Sculptor Robert Shure speaks at 25th anniversary event, June 28, 2023. 
Photo courtesy of Colette M. Quinlin

On June 28, 2023, an event was held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the memorial.

The 1840s became known as An Gorta Mor, or the Great Hunger, during which a million Irish died and another two million fled Ireland because of successive potato crop failures and British government inaction which exacerbated the suffering and loss. 


International visitors at the Boston Irish Famine Memorial
Photo courtesy of BITA

The memorial is viewed each year by hundreds of thousands of visitors, commuters and local residents passing through Downtown Crossing, one of the city's busiest intersections. 

The  Memorial is part of Boston's Irish Heritage Trail and is also along Boston's Freedom Trail. 


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