Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society
The Doolough Famine Monument
By N.O'N.
27, Sep 2007 - 19:08

The Famine Monument At Doolough.

The famine monument in the Doolough Valley is a poignant reminder of the famine in the middle 19th century, one of the most terrible periods in Irish history. The failure of the potato crop over a number of years resulted in the deaths of nearly a million people and emigration accounted for the departure of nearly three million more on the 'coffin ships'. The population was reduced by 50% and western Ireland, from Donegal to Cork suffered most. The simple monument at Doolough is a sad but  fitting reminder of the horrific sufferings of a simple people.

The monument at Doolough, made of local stone, and set in a beautiful location.

The inscribed slate at the foot of the monument