Memorial to Irish famine wins backing of ministers

Senior reporter

Monday 29 October 2012

PLANS for a new memorial to victims of the Irish Potato Famine have gathered momentum as the Scottish Government is now backing the project.

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GERRY BRAIDEN

Ministers have expressed support for the commemoration, hailing Glasgow City Council's decision to erect a monument to An Gorta Mor (the Great Hunger) and those who died in the Scottish Highland potato famine.

Humza Yousaf, Minister for External Affairs and International Development, said the memorial would mark "a tragic period in Ireland and Scotland's history and recognise the important role the potato famine has had in shaping Glasgow's past and present cultural make-up".

The Herald understands Celtic Football Club has expressed a desire to play a part in the plans and has been asked to be kept up to speed with developments. The club has had various events over the years marking the famine.Government support for the scheme is the second major boost for the memorial plans in less than a week, coming on the back of endorsement and a promise of a financial contribution towards the cost of the project from an influential group of Rangers fans.The Rangers Supporters Assembly (RSA) said any memorial had "the chance to represent the entire Irish community in Glasgow", with group president Andy Kerr saying it would "serve not only as a reminder of the migration caused by the famine but also as recognition of wider Irish migration to the city".The RSA move was especially welcomed given the rivalry between the Old Firm and the traditional perception of Celtic as the team of the Irish diaspora in the west of Scotland.Mr Yousaf said: "Famine and world hunger is sadly as much a blight on the modern era as it was in the past and the intention to have this monument act as a focal point to mark more recent and current famines is a fitting gesture that reflects the compassionate nature of the people of Glasgow."I congratulate [Glasgow SNP councillor] Fergal Dalton for bringing forward this issue and bringing together various communities in support of what is a very worthwhile project."A decision on who will sit on the working group to decide on the most appropriate memorial and setting is imminent, with work due to begin in November.Mr Dalton said: "I am delighted the Scottish Government have offered ministerial backing to the memorial. The many different groups and organisations backing it is a tribute to the inclusive nature of what this memorial will achieve."During the Irish Famine of the 1840s, one million people died and another million fled their homeland, with huge numbers settling in Scotland. Tens of thousands also fled the Highlands and islands, which was ravaged by the potato blight, for Scotland's industrial heartlands.The Irish who arrived in Scotland were among the poorest, as those who could scrape together more money headed to Canada and America. During 1848 the average weekly inflow of Irish into Glasgow was estimated at more than 1000, and the figure for January to April of that year was put at 42,860.Some of the best-known famine memorials are in the US, including the Irish Hunger Memorial in Manhattan, New York, and a national monument at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia.

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Memorial to Irish famine wins backing of ministers

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