They left Ireland more than 150 years ago, seeking to escape starvation and disease in their native land, hoping to find a new life in New York. Many went on to build a new life in the United States, others were less fortunate.
Thousands died before they could rebuild their lives in the New World. Some died aboard ship, some in a quarantine station in what is now the St. George section of Staten Island.
Many were buried in a mass grave in a field near today’s Borough Hall. There they lay for decades, forgotten until recently, when construction of a new courthouse uncovered some of their remains. A portion of the site was left undisturbed after the initial remains were found.
On Sunday, Sept. 20, these immigrants will receive what was denied them in death: A solemn ceremony of remembrance, a blessing, and a pair of monuments dedicated to their memory. The ceremony will also honor the journey undertaken by hundreds of thousands of Irish immigrants who left home during the Famine years, so many of them settling in and transforming New York City.
Speaking in advance of the event, Irish Ambassador to the United States of America, Geraldine Byrne Nason said: “As America marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence we reflect on our relationship together, and particularly on the story of Ireland in America.
“One of the most defining moments in that story was the experience of Ireland’s Great Famine during which some two million people fled Ireland to the United States in search of hope and opportunity. That dark period in Ireland became a pivotal time in Ireland’s relationship with the United States. Irish people found shelter and purpose in the USA. It became a foundational time in building the strong friendship and bilateral relationship that we enjoy today.
“The Irish Government is proud to have contributed to the installation of these monuments as a reminder of the distinct and extraordinary contributions made by people from the island of Ireland to the United States and to its development over the past 250 years.”
The two monuments will face a walkway leading to the courthouse whose construction led to the discovery of the old cemetery. One of the monuments, based on a traditional 19th century cemetery obelisk, memorializes the lives of all those buried at the site.
According to a release, Robert Flood of Staten Island Monuments offered his expertise in creating the design. A second monument consists of two bronze shoes on a pedestal, reminders of the journey of Irish Famine immigrants and an official representation of an initiative known as the Global Irish Famine Way. This will be the first site recognized by the Global Famine program in the United States.
Years of research and advocacy, spearheaded by the Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries under the leadership of its CEO, Lynn Rogers, will culminate with the ceremony and dedication, which will begin at 2 p.m.
Speaking of the men, women and children buried at the site, Rogers said: “Their fate was tragic, but now, 180 years later, they will receive the recognition and benediction they never received in life."
In addition to Ambassador Byrne Nason, other local political, cultural and religious leaders are expected to attend. The ceremony will include a presentation of flowers on the monument site by several local children and music performed by local pipe bands.
The Global Irish Famine Way extends from the National Famine Way in Ireland to follow the journeys of Irish Famine emigrants around the world. The international leaders of the Global Irish Famine Way, Caroilin Callery of the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park and Irish diplomat Eamonn McKee, have appointed two well-known individuals from the Irish community as national American co-convenors: Professor Christine Kinealy of Quinnipiac University and Roscommon native Hilary T. Beirne, former chairman of the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Foundation and Founding Director at Irish America 250.
The Staten Island committee is chaired by Lynn Rogers and includes Mike Cusick, president and CEO of the Staten Island Economic Development Corp., Civil Court Judge Mary Kavanaugh, local historian Pat Salmon, Dr. Timothy Lynch, president of the College of Staten Island, Irish activist Kathy O’Keefe Burke, and Dr. Terry Golway, adjunct professor of history at the College of Staten Island.
