Boston's Irish Famine Memorial Unveiled 20 Years Ago, on June 28, 1998

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Boston's Irish Famine Memorial was unveiled before a crowd of 7,000 people on Sunday, June 28, 1998 at the corner of School and Washington Street along Boston's Freedom Trail and Irish Heritage Trail.

The $1 million Memorial commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Irish Famine which occurred in Ireland between 1845-1849, killing nearly one million people and forcing another two million people to emigrate to  Boston, New York, Halifax and other eastern seaboard cities.

The memorial project was headed by the late Thomas J. Flatley, along with Michael Cummings and others from the Boston community. 

 At the time of the memorial's unveiling, Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson wrote, "I hope people who come here reflect on the survivors.  And remember, we are the survivors of the survivors." 

 Since Boston's Irish Famine Memorial was unveiled, other memorials to the Famine generation were unveiled in Lawrence, Charlestown, MA, and Providence, RI. 

For year round details on Boston's Irish cultural community, visit IrishMassachusetts.com.

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