Last year we explored the history and cultural significance of Irish Famine Pots, the giant cast iron vessels created to cook massive volumes of soup to feed the starving Irish in 1847, the bleakest year of the Great Irish Famine.
I’m delighted to report the completion of a new documentary film about the preservation of these cast iron pots and their historical significance.
Today, one lucky reader will have an opportunity to win a copy of this DVD.
But before entering let me first hand you over to Mattie Lennon, who will tell us a little bit more about these Irish Famine Pots and this new documentary which he has completed with his friend John Cassidy ……
The Famine Pot By Mattie Lennon:
Most features of the Irish potato famine have been very well documented. However, because of bigotry, pride, misguided patriotism and inherited false information, one aspect of the potato failure, the story of the humble Famine Pot, was almost air-brushed from our history.
The discovery of a broken famine pot in the townland of Cullenboy, County Donegal prompted a local historian to do some serious research on the subject.
Interviews with experts on the period, and contact with resources at home and abroad, revealed the extent to which the Quakers and organisations around the world came to the aid of the starving Irish.
The Sultan of Turkey contributed £1000. (He had offered £10,000 but since Queen Victoria had given £2,000 he couldn’t offend Royal protocol and was obliged to give less than the Monarch.)
Darby’s iron- foundry in Shropshire sent fifty-six famine-pots free of charge to Ireland and it has been established that by 1847 there were 1,850 famine-pots in operation, feeding three million people in Ireland. Over the period of the famine the Quakers supplied pots to twenty-seven counties.
At one stage, at Templecrone, Co. Donegal, there were in operation four famine-pots, being used twice a day to give out 600 gallons of soup at a cost to the local organisers of £2 10s.
Those pots were made of cast iron and many survive to this day.
The method of distribution required people to line up in front of the public Famine Pot, saucepans and pans in hand, waiting for the soup to be ladled out. Some people saw this as debasing and demoralizing, but the alternative was death by starvation.
Information received through research has led to the setting up of the website, Irish Famine Pots, and consequently the making of a short film.
The Famine Pot is a documentary, on DVD, which tells the story of this grim period in our history. It includes footage of areas which were worst hit by An Gorta Mór and features interviews with historians, Professor Christine Kinealy, Rob Goodbody, Dr Ciaran Reilly, Sean Beattie, Rev. Jack Lamb, Dr Gearóid Moran and Colum Cronin.
Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens gives a scientific account of the nature of the potato blight.
The Famine Pot, new documentary is now available on DVD (€10 including postage) from, Irish Famine Pots. Details can be obtained by e-mail….
The Giveaway:
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Tuesday, May 31st, 2016.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration for your entry why not tell us if your family has a story of immigration associated with the Irish Famine, or if this tragic period of Irish history is of interest to you.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for ordering and mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday May 31st, 2016, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries by clicking here.
A big thank you to Mattie Lennon for sponsoring this prize. And thanks to everyone who supports this little giveaway and spreads the word about this important project.
Update – Winner Chosen, May 31st 2016:
Good news. Our winner has been chosen using the randomized “Pick Giveaway Winner” WordPress plug-in.
Congratulations to …..
Laura Lee
I’ll send you a quick e-mail to let you know you are our prize winner.
Thanks to everyone who joined in and entered this little giveaway.
And a big thank you to Mattie Lennon for sponsoring this prize and for introducing us to his historical research. Wishing him every success with this DVD.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
I’m married to an Irishman and I think he would be interested in learning more about this.
Hi Laura – I’m so glad I could share the information about this DVD with you.
Take care,
Mairéad
Another piece of culture from which to learn.
Hi Deborah – I love reading Irish history, and I seem to learn so much every day. A big thanks to Mattie Lennon for sharing his research with us.
All the best,
Mairéad
My family is Irish. Even took my mum to Ireland last May. I would love to share this video with them…
Thanks!
Hi Melynie – How wonderful that you and your mother experienced Ireland together last year. It sounds like your interest in Irish history continues.
All the best,
Mairéad
I look forward to learning more about these famine pots that helped to feed my ancestors. Thank you!
Hi Jeannine – Many lives were saved by these soup distribution projects throughout Ireland. Many Irish people owe their existence to these pots, which kept life in their starving ancestors.
All the best,
Mairéad
Such a sad time in the history of Ireland. 🙁
Kathleen – Truly a sad time, but one that I find extremely interesting nonetheless.
Thanks for checking out this blog post.
Mairéad
As sad as it is, it is our history and something that should never be forgotten. Your blogs are always very informative. Thanks.
So true Kathleen, that the painful parts of our history should never be forgotten. I love how Mattie and John have recorded this story for future generations to appreciate.
All the best,
Mairéad
I don’t know for sure if my family ever received any soup from one of these pots, but I have often wondered what my ancestors went through…I know my paternal grandfather was born ten years after the famine, and came to America when he was 25. But I don’t know why, or with who, if anyone. Most likely everyone had family that needed help back then, wouldn’t you think, Mairead? Certainly my great grandparents might have.
I often wonder about the relatives I never knew, the ones I have no way of finding out about no matter how much I long to. All before me are long gone, and researching them has lead practically no where.
Hi Patricia – Those who suffered the most during the Famine were laborers and cottiers. This term cottiers refers to those who were given the right to plant a few acres of land with potatoes in return for their labor each year. They did not actually hold the lease on the land they worked, and their plots were very small. My mother’s family come from Skibbereen in County Cork, an area which was badly affected during the Famine. However, I know from records that my ancestors held a lease on land at that time. Nothing substantial, just about 30 acres, but in those days that probably meant the difference between death and survival.
I understand how difficult researching family can be, especially in Ireland, where many records were poorly kept or lost in the fire at the Four Courts during the Irish Civil War.
All the best,
Mairéad
Stop calling it a famine. It was a concerted effort by the British to exterminate the Irish people. Read your history.
Hi Kate – I do still call this tragic episode in Irish history “the Great Famine,” the name that was used when I was learning history as a school girl in Ireland. Perhaps I have read too many historical history texts, and am slow to change my terminology. I have read many books about “The Great Hunger,” which is the preferred term nowadays. But these old pots have always been called “Famine Pots” in Ireland. Somehow the term “Great Hunger Pots” just does not work. Anyway, your comment is definitely a topic that could be explored in another blog post, or perhaps many blog posts.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Wow. I would have never known. The famine wasn’t covered much in my history classes.
Hi Veronica – It’s wonderful how researchers and historians continue to investigate stories of this time, so that we can better understand the stories of our ancestors.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Very interesting. I haven’t heard of these pots before nor of all the aid from unlikely places like the Sultan of Turkey. It’s wonderful that people keep finding out more about history! I’ll share this on a page I manage for our local group: Utica NY Area Irish Coalition. They need to discover your blog.
Hi Sue – An interesting fact about the donation by the Sultan of Turkey is that, to this day, Drogheda United Football Club in County Louth remember his generous act by displaying the star and crescent moon of Turkey on their jerseys. Thank you so much for sharing my blog with your local Utica NY Area Irish Coalition. I really appreciate your support.
All the best,
Mairéad
My Irish mum married an American & moved to USA. I’ve tried to reasearch my Irish family to no avail.
My mum was born 1935 in Dublin & her family moved to Ilford England when she was 16.
I’ve tried to get info on my family from her & one of her brothers, but I didn’t get far.
I’m still interested in my family history. Is there any help you can give me please. Thank you Liz
Hi Liz – Family research can be very difficult, but gathering as many names as possible is the best way to start. Here’s a link for an Irish genealogy resource list.
http://crestleaf.com/blog/70-resources-finding-irish-ancestors/
I hope this helps and wish you every success as you search for your Irish roots.
All the best,
Mairéad
My mum was born in Dublin & her family moved to England. I’ve tried to research my family history, but she & one of her brothers have been able to help me. Can you please help me. Thanks
Hi Liz – you may want to check Irish census records if you have names of some of your relatives. Here’s a link …
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/
All the best,
Mairéad
I have seen a couple of these pots and it is heart wrenching to think of what happened to those poor people back then. I am looking forward to seeing this documentary.
Hi Mary – I have only seen a few of these pots, but next time I’m in Donegal I must check out some of the pots on display there.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
when will the show be on? date, time & station please. thanks.
Hi Liz – I’m afraid this program is only available on DVD and can be purchased by e-mailing the film maker @ irishfaminepots.com
It would be wonderful if some TV station picked it up and showed it on air someday.
All the best,
Mairéad
Thanks Miread. I’ll check it out.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Fascinating!
Hi Laurie Ann – I too find stories of this era fascinating.
All the best,
Mairéad
I have a number of books about the famine. A sad time.
Truly a tragic time, Christi.
All the best,
Mairéad
Your post got me thinking that when I was growing up I heard a lot of WWII spoken about in my family home. When I looked at the year that was given re the famine pots I realized that my great-grandparents must have been in the thick of it at the time and I’m sure my grandmother grew up hearing about the famine and the pots as I did the tokens and the rationing during WWII.
Hi Barbara – What an interesting comparison to make. Many of the old stories about the Famine were written down by a Folklore Commission in the 1930’s. A collection of these stories is available in a book called Famine Echoes by Cathal Póirtéir. I have heard that many stories were lost since the Irish came to be known as “the silent people” after the Famine. The events were so traumatic that generations blocked them from their memories. My grandmother in Skibbereen knew stories of the Famine, but unfortunately when I was young I never listened, and now since she has passed, it’s too late.
Thanks as always for stopping by,
Mairéad
My friend owns land in Ireland that will never be sold as it is well known to locals as a famine grave site. I know the same to be true in Skibbereen told to me by a former local. There was so much silence around this period of time. Your blog certainly opens up discussion. I visit every year and this July I hope to see that pot in Donegal. My Great-Great Grandparents survived the famine.
Hi Deborah – The Abbeystrewry graveyard in Skibbereen was the site of a mass burial pit, where thousands were buried. I find it moving and heart breaking, every time I visit there. I hope you have a good trip to Donegal this year. There are a number of famine pots in Donegal. Be sure to check out John Cassidy’s website to learn where they are located. Here’s the link …
http://www.irishfaminepots.com/gallery.html
All the best,
Mairéad
That’s my plan Mairead. Hope to get over to Tory Island as well. Lot’s of interesting history there!
Go raibh maith agat,
Deborah
Tory is on my “to see” list too. Have a fantastic trip.
Mairéad
I took a grad-school course with Prof. Kinealy at Drew University in New Jersey. She is interviewed in this doc. If she was involved, I know it will be a factual, informative film.
Hi Tim – Thanks for letting us know about the class you took with Prof. Kinealy, and that her involvement in this project is a definite seal of approval for you. Mattie Lennon and John Cassidy put a huge effort into researching this project and connecting with academics on both sides of the Atlantic.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
My great grandparents and their families left Ireland after this time so not sure if they ever received from this but it is a very good and important historical fact that needs to be told.
Hi Gary – We may never know if our individual ancestors benefited from this soup program or the generosity of the Quakers during the Irish Famine, but this is a story of our nation that I am happy is being shared. Thanks so much for stopping by to check out this post.
All the best,
Mairéad
I’m eager to see this film. My grandfather emigrated from Kells, Co. Meath, where they had a high number of famine deaths.
Hi Lynda – Thanks so much for checking out this blog post. This DVD will hold such meaning for those whose ancestors survived the horrors of the famine.
All the best,
Mairéad