About The Famine Memorial
Sited hauntingly on Mayo Square off North Wall Quay, The Famine Memorial is a stark bronze sculpture by Rowan Gillespie, unveiled in 1997 to commemorate the Great Hunger of 1845-1852 that killed a million and forced another million to emigrate. These emaciated figures, skeletal and ragged, trudge towards departing ships, capturing despair amid Docklands quays where coffin ships once loaded. Overlooking the Liffey and modern cranes, it contrasts famine horror with today's prosperity, a poignant Docklands historic site linking past suffering to Irish resilience. Touch the cold metal, hear gulls cry, feel wind whipping off water; it's raw, emotional.
What to Expect
Free outdoor access 24/7; eight life-size figures evoke journey from rural starvation to urban docks. Plaques detail famine stats; nearby info boards contextualise.
Insider Tips
Best at dusk for dramatic shadows; walk from EPIC (5 mins). Reflect quietly, then visit Jeanie Johnston. Photogenic spot for 'Dublin Docklands historic sites'. Locals pause here thoughtfully, recommending sturdy shoes for cobbles.