Support
A large, dark bronze sculpture shows a group of gaunt figures in period clothing, some on a boat-like structure, others standing on the ground. Many figures carry bundles, and one holds a child, conveying a scene of hardship and migration. The sculpture is set on a dark, tiered base outdoors.

The Irish Memorial An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger)

Glenna Goodacre (1939 – 2020) Edit

Artwork Details

Title
The Irish Memorial An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger)
Artist
Glenna Goodacre (1939 – 2020) Edit (1939 – 2020)
Year
2002
Location
Foglietta Plaza, Spruce Street and 38th Parallel Place
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Height 12', width 12', length 22'

Artwork Description

The Irish Memorial An Gorta Mor, translated to “The Great Hunger,” is a monumental bronze sculpture (approximately 12′ x 30′ x 12′) that commemorates the millions of Irish who died of starvation from 1845-1850, as well as the hundreds of thousands who migrated to America during that time. Thirty five life-size bronze figures are arranged into two scenes: the upper west section depicts Irish immigrants arriving in America, ready to start anew, and the lower east section portrays starvation in Ireland.

Born in Lubbock, Texas, artist Glenna Goodacre is known for her figurative bronze work. She is perhaps most famously recognized for her design of the U.S. Treasury Sacagawea dollar coin minted in 2000 and her Vietnam Women’s Memorial installed in Washington, D.C. in 1993. The Irish Memorial was Goodacre’s largest bronze sculpture, which was unveiled in 2002 for the 150th anniversary of Ireland’s Great Hunger.

Artwork Credits

Commissioned by Irish Memorial, Inc.

Artwork Media