[QUOTE=Gnomie;122888]
Great Hunger Memorial Liverpool
My Irish Pride
I have placed this here to remember our Irish ancestors, and their contribution to this city. It is here only to respect them, and the heritage we have in this city, not to have a go at any other groups. I placed it here as nothing much is on this forum to the Irish. Now have a Guinness and enjoy
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Like most, my Irish ancestors had to fight terrible poverty and appalling housing conditions. My Great Great Grandparents Michael and Margaret Cain, both died within hours of each other of bronchitis, on Christmas eve 1874. Having no money they where buried in paupers graves at Ford cemetery, but at least the records show they where buried together in the same grave. A lot of my Irish ancestors would follow the same path of pauper burial. Today all I have to remember them by, is a field in Ford cemetery. Once a year I place flowers in the center of the field, before moving them to the No Name memorial. A small token of remembrance for my kin.
As well as hardship, they had to face the wrath of people who thought them Scum, adding insult to their despair. Yet by sticking together they found strength, a bond that brought them hope and helped them to carry on. They formed their own communities, involved other immigrant groups, and lived together side by side. They worked the factories and docks or peddled their goods, sang songs of the homeland, and danced to fine music. Against all odds they rose and spread into the city, they survived, because of their strength I am here today, proud to have their blood running through my veins, their knowledge in my thoughts, their love in my heart.
To the present day my family still travels to and fro from Liverpool to Ireland, visiting relatives. Flying is far more easy than our ancestors sea voyage. The first time I set foot in Ireland I felt that I belong, It is my history, and my ancestors homeland. In June of this year another influx of Irish will arrive, this time for my wedding, and the pubs will take a belting. Happy days for happy people.
Nice to hear about your Irish family Gnomie. I too have lots of Irish blood and am very proud of the fact they survived even though the odds where against them. I hope that is where I get my spirit from. Love the photos not seen those statues before.
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