"The Hunger" or "An Gorta Mór"

More Than Just a "Potato Famine"

Understanding An Gorta Mór

What many Americans know as "The Irish Potato Famine" was far more than a simple crop failure. An Gorta Mór - The Great Hunger - was a devastating period in Irish history from 1845 to 1852 that forever changed the face of Ireland and shaped the Irish-American experience.  During this catastrophic period, over one million Irish men, women, and children perished from starvation and disease. Another two million were forced to flee their homeland, with many seeking refuge in North America. This mass exodus created one of the largest diasporas from a single island in recorded history.

 

More Than Natural Disaster: While the immediate cause was a potato blight that devastated the primary food source for most Irish families, the true tragedy lay in the response to this crisis. Despite Ireland continuing to produce sufficient food to feed its population, exports of food from Ireland continued throughout the famine years. The British government's adherence to laissez-faire economic policies and inadequate relief efforts turned a natural disaster into a human catastrophe.

 

Legacy in America: The impact of An Gorta Mór continues to resonate through generations of Irish Americans. Those who survived the journey to America faced significant challenges and discrimination but persevered to become an integral part of American society. Today, Irish Americans have made tremendous contributions to every aspect of American life - from politics and labor rights to arts and culture.

 

Our Continuing Mission: At the Ancient Order of Hibernians John C. Devereux Division 1, we honor the memory of An Gorta Mór not just through remembrance but through action. The experience of The Great Hunger instilled in Irish Americans a deep commitment to fighting hunger wherever we find it.

 

Our division actively works to combat hunger in our community. Recently, we:

  • Distributed 300 turkeys and 5,000 pounds of potatoes across Oneida County
  • Partnered with 13 local food pantries
  • Collaborated with community organizations including:
    • Oneida County Sheriff's Department
    • Trinity Foods
    • Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley
    • Local farms and businesses

 

How You Can Help: The legacy of An Gorta Mór teaches us that community action and solidarity are powerful forces for change. You can join our mission to fight hunger by:

  • Becoming a member of our division
  • Supporting our fundraising events
  • Volunteering at our food distribution initiatives
  • Contributing to our charitable programs

 

Remembrance and Education: We maintain this commitment to education and remembrance through:

  • Annual commemorative events
  • Educational programs about An Gorta Mór
  • Support for hunger relief initiatives
  • Community outreach and awareness programs

 

Contact Us: To learn more about our work or to get involved in our hunger relief initiatives, please contact us: [Insert Contact Information]

In the depths of tragedy, the Irish dug deep and found strength. In the face of hunger, they persevered and found purpose. We find the path forward through remembering and honoring their work and sacrifices...

Visit our "An Gorta Mór" / "The Hunger" Memorial and tribute to all the Irish Families of the Mohawk Valley at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish Church: 2 Barton Ave, Utica, NY 13502