A huge thanks to Gerard Madden, who delivered a fantastic lecture to our members and audience in the back room of Wood and Bell café last Wednesday evening!

Even though it was a beautiful and warm summer night, we welcomed over fifty to hear the stories of those who lived during the Great Famine in East Clare. Much of the research was heart-rending, especially as we heard about the conditions in Scariff Workhouse. Also interesting was Ger’s account of the Purdon Famine Memorial, which once stood outside Tinerana near Killaloe, and the famine pots which can still be seen in Tuamgraney graveyard. There was a 10% drop in the population of Killaloe during the famine years, and Ger took us through exactly how this came to happen, from a wide-ranging national context, to an in-depth study of what went on locally.

You can purchase Ger’s incredible book on this subject at this link here. There is an article in the Clare Champion which gives a good overview of the subject here – if you missed the lecture, this is a good catch-up.

Stay tuned for details of our June lecture!

On Wednesday 30th May 2018, at 7pm, Gerard Madden will deliver a lecture on The Great Famine in East Clare. The Scarriff workhouse was built to accommodate 600 people, and opened in May 1842. Two years later, there was almost 2000 people within the walls, and over 6000 people without. Come and hear the stories of the victims of the Great Hunger in East Clare/ South Galway. Ger has recently published a new book on the famine in East Clare called The Annals of the Poor, and copies will be available to purchase on the night. Ger will also bring along some of his previous titles, and these sold out at his massively popular January lecture, so bring a few bob if you want to snag one this time! You can browse his books on his website here.

See you on the evening of the 30th of May. Remember, entry is FREE and everyone is welcome. Please help us promote this talk by sharing this post, our website, or the Facebook event. Here is a higher quality version of the poster for printing, if you fancy going that bit further and sticking one up on your office noticeboard! Every little helps. Thanks so much!