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René
04-04-2009, 03:17 AM
This is the Jeannie Johnson, a replica of the famine ships that left Dublin during the famine in Ireland 2 centuries ago.
http://admin.clikpic.com/bruuner/images/Jeannie-Johnson-at-Dawn.jpg

The failure of the potato crop which was Ireland's main source of food back then caused untold suffering in our lands. At the time Ireland was under British rule and the government at the time did not give a crap about the Irish. At present Ireland has a population of over 4 million people (including Northern Ireland). However during the famine many people left on the ships like the Jeannie Johnson, also known as coffin ships as many people died on the journey and were thrown overboard enroute to the new world, USA and Canada. Over 800,000 starved to death while the British Royals and Government couldn't care less. They would make the people do back breaking labour for a bowl of nettle soup. Not even food, just water with grass and nettles in it... They say if the potato crop didn't fail, by now, Ireland would have over 8,000,000 living in these lands.
http://admin.clikpic.com/bruuner/images/Famine-Victim-and-Child.jpg
A father carries his soon to die son...

This is why today, with this mass migration of Irish people at these times, our fore-fathers settled along the East coast of the US and Canada and why over 250,000,000 today claim Irish Heritage.
Our tribes span the globe as a result of the occupation of Ireland by English forces. We were hanged for speaking our own language and also deported for simple crimes to Australia, still a British colony which was back then were most prisoners from Ireland were sent. They figured being so far away from home would crush our spirit... but it never did.
http://admin.clikpic.com/bruuner/images/Famine-Victims-Leaving-Dublin.jpg
Memorial of people leaving and walking along the docks to the waiting ships...
http://admin.clikpic.com/bruuner/images/Famine-Statues-by-the-Liffey.jpg

René
04-04-2009, 03:35 AM
More shots like this on my site: www.renebruunphotographer.com

invisible
04-04-2009, 08:30 AM
Wow, I had loved Chiller's and Anty's photos of the statues on the other side of the pond, but the story as told by you, with all the emotional charge of a first person, gives new meaning to the images –theirs and yours. The people and dog depicted by the statues look more dead than alive, and their juxtaposition with modern architecture makes the effect even more powerful. Thanks for sharing all this...

René
04-04-2009, 09:01 AM
Thanks, I think I will try give more back ground info about shots that relate directly to the history and shaping of Ireland as a country...

PhotoJet
04-04-2009, 09:49 AM
Thank you so much for this, Rene. It it moving and more than just pictures about a time past.

Antarctican
04-04-2009, 11:49 AM
Thanks so much for this, Rene. I had really looked forward to seeing the Irish equivalent of the statues in Toronto's "Ireland Park". The background info is so interesting, and is important to give even more context to the shots.

The sculptures are clearly by the same sculptor, and the depictions are as moving as the ones here in Toronto. They must look haunting at night. I'm glad you included that beautiful shot of the ship as well. The thought of so many people sharing such a small space for such a long voyage is sickening.

Chiller
04-04-2009, 01:23 PM
WOW!!.. I have been waiting for this all week. Thank you so much for taking the time. The connection now feels so real ya know? Seeing these images and seeing the statues on our shores is so amazing.

This is a link to the docudrama that was shown recently.
http://www.deathorcanada.com/
If you get a chance to see it, very moving.
Here is the Youtube Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xkfoob54QM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ygj_ujM-ZQ&feature=related

I hope the links work ok. Thanks again Rene. :toast:

René
04-04-2009, 01:58 PM
Thanks guys, they look pretty cool at night also.....

Chiller
04-04-2009, 02:24 PM
I gotta win a lottery. I need to buy some plane tickets. :biglaugh:

MissMia
04-09-2009, 01:42 AM
Thank you for taking the time to post these and for giving us more of the history.

I like the perspective and coloring of the third photo.