Glasgow city council will be asked to throw their weight behind a famine memorial for Glasgow.
The motion will be moved by Councillor Feargal Dalton of the SNP.
Here is the draft wording.
“Council notes the significant cultural, economic and social impact of Ireland’s An Gorta Mór and the Scottish Highland Potato Famine on the modern day character of our great city. Council recognises the efforts made by Glaswegians at the time to provide relief and sanctuary to those affected, a tradition that continues now as our city and its citizens continue to provide hope and assistance to those throughout the world affected by famine today.
Council therefore agrees to create a working group to examine the feasibility of, and to make recommendations for, a memorial to those who perished and to those who migrated to this city, and elsewhere, to escape starvation and forge new life for their families.”
Over the last 24 hours a series of discussion have taken place within the wider Irish community as how best to advance this project.
Developing story.
Irene
This is Scotland not Ireland… so why do we need or want a Famine memorial for another country.
February 3, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Harry McLaggan
I fear this memorial is already attracting the wrong sorts, and will seen as a symbol of Irish Natiolalism/Militancy, when we are getting comments of ‘build it at Parhead’, ‘huns’, ‘knuckledraggers’, ‘hail,hail’, etc.
I think perhaps the designers should be very concious of including those who took in and fed the hungry, as they surely did- as the Irish Catholic community is alive and thriving in Scotland- and make it a symbol of the good in all of us, rather than using it to stick two deviant fingers up.
September 13, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Blogiston
My goodness – just read the comments in the (Glasgow) Herald following the article about the proposed memorial.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/glasgow-plans-tribute-to-settlers-who-fled-famine.18744731
On top of trouble-t’it-mill, this idea is just way too much for the Ibrokes-minded bigots.
September 7, 2012 at 9:10 pm
Stephebhoy
I’ve been to the memorial at Carfin Grotto more than a few times, mainly to visit and pray at my fathers plaque. Great wee place. Quiet and respectful. It often surprised me how it stays free from bigoted vandalism.. I’d like to see this new memorial right in George Square. For all to see, at the centre of the city. That would be my preference.
September 7, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Barney
Maybe a few on here could do with a history lesson.
Irish Protestants died of hunger and had to flee during An Gorta Mor.
Think about that the next time you sing the Famine song.
September 5, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Tony
Barney, You may be right but I have never seen Protestant deaths from starvation recorded as part of the Irish Famine if you have any links to this issue I would be very grateful if you could post them. I am aware that some Protestants died from the Famine related diseases which swept the Country inluding I believe 40 of their clergymen in one year. Disease is no respector of religion, provision of food can be depending on the mind set of the providers.
September 5, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Frankier
Jim Boy – There was plenty of food for anyone willing to “turn their coat” away from the Catholic faith at the time of the famine so your argument doesn’t hold much water. There were plenty of pigs, sheep and cattle in Ireland at the time, not to mention an abundance of hares, rabbits and other eatables but The Empire had to be fed first. Since the potato blight wasn’t only in Ireland, how come these other countries survived? As for a memorial; I hope the Irish themselves are asked to donate, that’s if they have any spare cash left after they have bought their Man U and Liverpool rig-outs.
September 3, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Scott
It’s amazing reading the anti-protestant comments who name call with words like bigoted Huns etc…do you seriously not see your contradiction…..if you really want a statue why not open takes with the whole Scottish community like the orange order etc….if you really really know your history there would be a lot less hatred in Glasgow , Scotland , Uk…….
September 3, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Boaby Sands
What has this got to do with Glasgow exactly ??
September 3, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Barney
Well done Feargal Dalton.
Could you explain Phil the help the Glasgow public gave those arriving at the Broomielaw in 1847/1848.
September 3, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Neil Dempsey
Phil,
how can you possibly justify having your book serialised in The Sun?
Do you know nothing of their coverage of Hillsborough? Justice for the 96.
September 2, 2012 at 11:04 pm
Adam T
Yes, lets remember an event outside of Scotland
But let’s boo and blacken Remembrance Day
Idiots
September 2, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Ben mcginlay
Insults again from someone who probably doesn’t know the real history. Same old same old.
September 3, 2012 at 4:01 pm
abbaj
why dont we wait until after the BTC at
ibrox then we can buy it and have a
memorial built on the ground to show all
GLASGOW how far we have come since
AN GORTA MOR god bless all people of the city
September 2, 2012 at 9:03 pm
JimBhoy
There is a bit of a misnomer about the great famine, it should not be assumed that this plague to the staple potato crop discriminated against any race, colour or creed. There were plenty of non catholic folk also affected, something that I think is lost to some in this country when they glorify that atrocity in absurd song and verse. Some of those who spout “rule britannia” but can’t afford their ruler her dues…
September 2, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Mouldy67
Updated Oscar
OSCAR KNOX APPEAL
Hello , just to let you know that I am planning to take part in a 50 mile cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh, 09/09/2012
With just over a week to go, I will continue to train very hard in order to be able to take part in this cycle where I would hope to be able raise some funds for “Wee Oscar Knox” who is 3 year old kid and is not keeping very well just now.
You can read Oscar’s story on web link below….
http://www.justgiving.com/Team-Oscar-Knox-Appeal-Cycle-09092012-Paul-Muldoon
all donations are welcome and appreciated
please pass on Wee Oscars story
September 2, 2012 at 11:53 am
Chriscav1
Philip. Gutted. Amazon telling me booked delayed until the end of the month. What do you know?
HH
September 2, 2012 at 8:08 am
jinky
My ancestors are from Ukraine, they came here to avoid agricultural difficulties/eviction under “uncle” Joe Stalin, can we expect a memorial in Glasgow any time soon??
September 2, 2012 at 2:08 am
Gerry Carty
I,m sure you know jinky that there is a beautiful Ukrainian memorial in the grotto at carfin, it is well attended and looked after by the relations of those who were forced to flee the ukraine. If you feel such a memorial should be in the centre of glasgow then i,m sure you could start such a process jinky….i,m sure many would follow your lead.
September 2, 2012 at 4:30 pm
redversbodkin
*it could help restore pride in being scottish of ‘IRISH DESCENT”
September 2, 2012 at 2:06 am
Gerry Carty
A ‘an gorta mor’ memorial was erected in carfin grotto about ten years ago , the taoiseach (Mr Ahern) was meant to unveil the memorial but of course it was postponed due to a celtic /huns game that day, there was to much threat of disorder and sectarian violence .The taoiseach unveiled the memorial a few days later also in attendance was the northern ireland secretary John Reid . A memorial in the middle of Glasgow would indeed be a nice gesture . Where all those who wished could remember the many who arrived in glasgow never knowing if they would ever see but their family members and friends in Ireland at the time of ‘an gorta mor’ .
September 2, 2012 at 12:53 am
Mouldy67
OSCAR KNOX APPEAL
Hello , just to let you know that I am planning to take part in a 50 mile cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh, 09/09/2012
With just over a week to go, I will continue to train very hard in order to be able to take part in this cycle where I would hope to be able raise some funds for “Wee Oscar Knox” who is 3 year old kid and is not keeping very well just now.
You can read Oscar’s story on web link below….
http://www.justgiving.com/Team-Oscar-Knox-Appeal-Cycle-09092012-Paul-Muldoon
all donations are welcome and appreciated
please pass on
September 2, 2012 at 12:19 am
Blogiston
The memorial should not be out side Celtic Park or in the East End of Glasgow – that’s just playing into the hands of those who will seek to keep it ‘out of sight’. This ain’t the 1950′s anymore people!
I have no Irish roots but hope it will be in a prominent place in Glasgow, preferably overlooking the Clyde. I heard someone recently suggest it should have a smouldering lump of peat in it so people can smell it too. That would be pretty unique.
September 1, 2012 at 10:02 pm
john mckee
There is a danger that history is being rewritten in order to accommodate the ambition of politicians seeking to hijack the grassroots desire for a memorial.
Glasgow did not welcome the Irish especially those who were Catholic it subjected them to discrimination and bigotry.
The memorial for our people should be at Celtic Park and we should manage both its construction and its upkeep ourselves alone.
September 1, 2012 at 8:30 pm
John Burns
As I understand the original proposal came from the SNP – it IS a ploy to ‘buy’ the Tim vote, recently badly alienated with the homosexual marriage nonsense!
Of course Gordon Matheson (Labour) had to give it his support – it would have been akin to political hari-kari, in Glasgow, to do otherwise.
There must be an element of subtlety in both design and location, as it could be attacked by the Sevco knuckle-draggers on the occasions when McCoist, Green and Jardine decide that another rallying rant is necessary, or of course during the annual Orange hate-fest, in
September 1, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Ipswich Bhoy
Celtic Park is in essence the current Famine Memorial in Scotland, a living breathing act of defiance, a vibrant echo of voices stilled by hunger and racist indifference. When the Catholic Church Hierarchy was restored in Scotland in the early 19th Century the Glasgow Diocese built a small, unobtrusive Cathedral so as not to offend the bellicose minority who still hated them. We watch with interest the scale, position and esteem given to any new memorial to An Gorta Mor. It will tell us how far we have come.
September 1, 2012 at 12:48 pm
marcella
This is a positive move and hopefully will progress to a memorial being created. There has to be a watchful eye kept on this as initiatives are known to fade with councul. Regards the location this will have to be debated widely though my own preferance would be the Broomielaw for obvious reasons. This would also fit with the regenerational changes already in place and proposed for the broomielaw and where the past can help shape the future.
Regards vandalism a design brief will/should take this into consideration but let that not be the focal point.
September 1, 2012 at 11:53 am
Michael Gillan
Great news Phil but there always has been a monument to remember our roots and the struggles of the Irish and Scottish Catholic people and that is Parkhead . When you see the gathering below the flying Tricolour its a wonderful feeling.
I know you believe this as well but I do hope a permanent memorial is organised and its is long overdue.
Keep up the good work Phil.
September 1, 2012 at 10:50 am
Shiltrum
If the city fathers decide to erect a memorial I hope they locate it somewhere in the city centre so all who visit our city can view it. Whilst some want it to be outside parkhead I feel that would be wrong. The memorial is for all the people of Glasgow. I’m sure there will be some who will feel we should not have such a memorial and try to stop it being approved there will be others who may well try to damage/defile it. We the people of Glasgow value our heritage and should give it the recognition it deserves in a very public manner.
September 1, 2012 at 10:26 am
Antonious F
Great to see this important project starting to take wings Phil.
I agree with John on the inclusion if ALL in this process. If this is seen as a push by some Celtic minded people, then the likelihood of vandalism etc is real. if the memorial is placed at Celtic park, then this becomes even more of reason for those who oppose in various ways to do so.
for what it is worth, in my view, it should be an all inclusive project and placed in a public space in the centre of glasgow, not a Celtic park, where only those of Celtic persuasion will visit and respect it.
what a great opportunity for people set aside their cultural differences and offer something positive to society
September 1, 2012 at 9:52 am
Pseudonym
no.
why?
glasgow grew on cotton, perhaps slavery should be idolised first?
no memorials.
ex st matthews, bishopbriggs, altar boy etc talking.
September 1, 2012 at 8:58 am
jakeyrollin
Another piece of sterling work Phil, you have been a thorn in many a side over the last few years and rightly so. Ever thought of standing here
?
September 1, 2012 at 8:15 am
Big Mike
Build a statue or garden in the heart of Glasgow there it should not be too easy to get defaced or other and if so as of its location the authorities would soon ensure it was attended to and given time!!
September 1, 2012 at 7:39 am
john
Lets hope that this feasibility study becomes reality and The Great Hunger is recognized in a city that gave solitude and hope to many families who escaped certain starvation. Out of this avoidable disaster one of the worlds greatest sporting institutions, Celtic FC evolved. We (The Irish)have a lot to thank Glaswegians for Protestant, Catholic and dissenter so the memorial should be an inspiration to the city as a whole. Lets encourage and include our traditional sporting enemies to any cultural celebration. Hail hail!
September 1, 2012 at 6:58 am
Ben mcginlay
Interesting to see what happens and how the public will perceive it, no doubt our friends of the MSM will print negative spin on the subject matter to stir the klan into a frenzy, as is their want. But I am sure there could be a positive outcome that would suit everyone, but I still think the memorial will have to be placed under the noses at Celtic Park, as anywhere else it would be open season for vandals and narrow minded bigots to destroy and deface the memorial.
September 1, 2012 at 5:35 am
joe burt
Public opinion will drive this on Phil.It is not before time that a memorial was provided for all to honour the dead.
There will be those who oppose it but these will be the same people who tell us it is there rite to march up and down our streets to honour “wur kultchur” and “wur heritage”
I for one will come back to Glasgow for the opening ceremony as im sure many will from around the world to honour our dead and show everyone that we The Scottish and Irish diasporsa REMEMBER.
September 1, 2012 at 4:10 am
Pensionerbhoy
An encouraging sign of social climate change, Phil. Was the fall-out from the recent events on the south side socially and ethnically less insular than first thought. Perhaps it is now being recognised that within the blueprints for the reassessment and restructuring of socio-religious and sporting mores there must be a place for a completely new environment that will recognise the existence and cultural contributions of all long time integrated ethnic groups. Are we seeing the beginnings of a Glasgow that is all inclusive? Is it genuinely becoming “that dear green place”? I sincerely hope so.
H H
September 1, 2012 at 2:18 am
Ian ferguson
Phil, You have worked hard & long to bring this into the Public Domain.
For a long time people didn’t twig.. Rascism.. NO WAY.. sectarian reaction from a minority, that’s all, anyway you are worse, you support an… IRELAND, don’t you?
Any way guys like McGeady & Lennon brought it on themselves.. you never supported the troops who slaughtered you etc.
Slowly, but surely, the real situation in wee Bonny Bigoted Scotland has emerged… Sites like RTC, Scotzine, Paul McConville, Alex Thomson etc, have helped awareness on issues you have raised & are involved in a search for truth.
You have published & have become recognised, have taken the facts to the USA & that will grow.
The majority in Scotland are still in denial & can’t seperate RFC(IA), the Sevco switch & The Orange Order Supremacy from natural justice & times which are slowly changing.
Most still deny support..then the excuse, anyway, people are allowed to celebrate their culture. I agree, if it not celebrating supremacy over others.
If you think on it, if celebration & Supremecy are ok, why is a memorial for those who died due to an Inhuman Government policy enactment not a valid right for those who wish to remember the loss.
Britain exported food from Ireland while ancestors starved.
A memorial is long overdue for those who came & survived and added to scotland’s workforce, produced wealth & paid their taxes & wish to remember their roots, their dead & the deliberate policy which forced them to go & seek a new home.
It always amazes me that these same people whom oppose any Irish recognition will help, be it Africa, India, Japan, Bangladesh, etc,etc,etc.
Mention Ireland & it’s a different reaction, all of a sudden you are a “PLASTIC PADDY”, for daring to show concern.
For some reason an “ULSTER SCOT” has the right to be superior over everyone & you have no right to celebrate survival or remember your dead without the “GO HOME” put down.
A Memorial is long overdue, may it happen soon & I wish more strength & success to your pen, keep up the good work..
September 1, 2012 at 1:41 am
Stu
The majority in Scotland are still in denial?!? On what basis do you make that sweeping statement?
I think you’ll find that the vast, VAST majority of people in Scotland find sections of the Rangers support, their songs, and the groups associated with their view to be utterly repugnant, but don’t let me stop you.
September 2, 2012 at 6:20 am
hammy
That ‘s great news.
I ‘m well past 60 yrs and it’s doubly satisfying that this memorial is being proposed by the SNP
I am apolitical but have been a supporter of SNP ‘s vision of self determination since the age of 25 ( or thereabouts ).
September 1, 2012 at 1:30 am
Una@No1Ghirl
My Man is a product of Irish settlers in Glasgow.I am an Irish ghirl,who travelled the world,and bumped into him in a bar in Cyprus,only two people checking the Celtic score:-)
Different history,same story.
We will never be starved again.
September 1, 2012 at 12:53 am
Joseph
Brilliant. You couldn’t make this up. May you have a long life together.
September 1, 2012 at 9:53 am
Steve
A very important cultural and historical recognition of an event that changed the dynamics of Scottish life for the better.
September 1, 2012 at 12:49 am
Paul Black
And not before time!
September 1, 2012 at 12:44 am
frank d
how long will it stand erected before being vandalised by the neanderthals?
September 1, 2012 at 12:20 am
Gerry
I am thinking one of the recommendations of the working group will be for the memorial design to be grafitti and for it to stink of pish.
That is the sad reality of Scotland today, Rangers or Sevco.
September 1, 2012 at 10:05 am
Ace Hole
Why would it be dedicated to those who perished? Surely it should only be dedicated to those who helped. As Glasgow is neither in the Highlands nor Ireland.
September 1, 2012 at 12:09 am
Hoopsmon
Recognition of this travesty is overdue. In more ways than can be imagined by the Establishment minded folk in a country that denies the contribution that has enhanced it. We have waited a long time. Thanks Phil.
September 1, 2012 at 12:03 am
michael mccahill
Great news long overdue but I suppose we should be thankful that Glasgow will eventually erect a memorial. I hope I am wrong but I get the feeling that this memorial will need to be up high and out of reach as their are some real sick bigots out there that could and would vandalise the An Gorta Mor memorial. God bless and RIP all those that perished.
September 1, 2012 at 12:02 am
JOHNCALLAGHAN
PHIL WOULD LOVE IT TO BE OUTSIDE CELTIC PARK, WHERE IT BELONGS,BESIDE BROTHER WALFRID HAIL HAIL
September 1, 2012 at 12:01 am
Mrhappy
You just know that if this is created it will regularly be defaced by the shameful part of Glasgow
August 31, 2012 at 11:55 pm
Les
A regular reader but first time post I would think it unbelievable that there is no recocnition of the Irish communitiy in Glasgow.
August 31, 2012 at 11:54 pm
Thomas Joseph McLaughlin
Great news Phil. Should have been done long before now, but better late than never. Can we expect the usual hysterical opposition from our more bitter and twisted compatriots? Probably.
August 31, 2012 at 11:50 pm