Republican mural on Upper Falls Road in Belfast argues that Britain was responsible for genocide during the potato famine of 1845-1849. This is one of many murals inspired by Northern Ireland’s peace talks. (Photo by robert wallis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Social conditions: famine and misery: Bridget O’Donnel and her children in “Illustrated London News”, 1849, Ireland. (Photo by: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Do ráinig blianta a’ Ghorta, agus Drochshaol, agus do bhris sé neart agus spiorad na ndaoine, ní rabh ann ach ‘achan ‘uine ag iarraidh bheith beo. D’imthig an sport agus an caitheamh aimsire. Stad an fhilíocht agus an ceol agus damhsadh. Do mharaigh an Gorta ‘achan rud.
The Famine years came, the Time of Doom, and it broke the strength and spirit of the people. Everyone was left just trying to stay alive. Sport and pastimes ceased. The enjoyment of poetry, music and dance, to which the people were accustomed, ended. The Famine killed everything.
Thit ár náisiún Gaelach neamhaireachtálach ón ocras, ón ngalar agus ón mbochtanas. Dhúisíomar sna 1850idí, mar Bhéarlóirí athchultúrtha. Cailleadh ár gcarn saibhir de chuimhneacháin – cuireadh náire ar an mbeagán daoine a chloigh leis an nGealachas. Tháinig laghdú ar phobail an oileáin, go dtí na 1960idí. Ach tá cultúr na hÉireann fós beo. Léirímid anois goidé is fíor-athléimneacht ann.
Our Gaelic nation fell unconscious from hunger, disease and poverty. We awoke in the 1850s, acculturated and English-speaking. Memories of our greatness, long gone, were weak – the few Irish-speakers left were shamed. Our island’s population diminished until the 1960s. But Irish culture still lives. We now show what real resilience is.
