Gentlemen, – The Charitable Irish Society of Boston, established in Boston during the colonial era in 1737 and thus representing the oldest Irish group living in the Americas, has received with gratitude the article penned by Fintan O’Toole concerning the unexpected closure of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum by Quinnipiac University in 2021.
The mission of our organisation throughout its long history has been to help immigrants, originally those from Ireland, and currently from all corners of the world. This mission remains relevant in connection with the outstanding artworks, sculptures and relics forming the collection of Quinnipiac. This collection significantly contributes to the understanding of Ireland’s history and symbolises the ongoing global issues such as hunger, poverty, forced relocation, misgovernance, and religious prejudice.
Soon after the inauguration of the museum, our society, along with the Eire Society of Boston, made a visit to the museum which deeply impacted our members. The artworks exhibited provided a clearer understanding of the 25% decrease in Ireland’s population by 1852 and shed light on the immense suffering inflicted by An Gorta Mór and its aftermath on our forefathers. Furthermore, the collection encourages visitors to transform sympathy into actions for the benefit of mankind today. The Irish Famine is a significant aspect of our identity and has shaped our dedication towards achieving fairness and equality in the present world. The society was shocked by the closure of the museum and proposed assistance for its re-establishment immediately.
We wholly agree with Ireland’s Great Hunger Bord’s objective of safeguarding the entire collection for public viewing in its custom-designed museum in Hamden. We earnestly request Quinnipiac administration to ensure the reopening of the museum in an acceptable timeframe, contrary to their current plans.
In taking up this action, Quinnipiac University would fulfil its stated promise of creating awareness amongst students and the general public about worldwide social and economic fairness issues. We are certain that this decision would encourage the global Irish community living abroad to pitch in for reviving the collection and realising Quinnipiac’s potential as an international hub for research into famine.
We implore worried individuals from Ireland to reach out to the administration at Quinnipiac University, advocating for the reinstatement of this distinctive part of Ireland’s cultural legacy in its original location in Hamden, Connecticut. Kind regards,
KATHLEEN WILLIAMS,
President,
Boston’s Charitable Irish Society,
West Roxbury,
Massachusetts, US.