It is easy to remember the presence of famine in County Mayo. We see above members of the Ballina Heritage Group, who were among those who gathered in the McWilliam Hotel. They are viewing a display of different varieties of potato. More can be seen below.

Not alone were cultivated potatoes to be seen but below again, wild varieties of potato are on display. The ones that resemble a bunch of grapes are said to have been given to “the daughter-in-law” to be peeled!

An excellent account of the Famine was given by John Cunningham. His book, The Great Silence, has just been published. One of the many facts he shared was that Mayo was the worst affected county in Ireland.

His scholarly account was well complimented by a more humourous reflection by David Langford on the Potato.

Suzanne Ryder rsm
Western Province