
Header Image
Introduction
Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, is sending its acclaimed art collection to Ireland in 2018. The works will go to Dublin Castle and Skibbereen—diametric epicenters of the Great Famine (1845-52)— as well as Derry, for the exhibition Coming Home: Art and the Great Hunger. The museum’s collection, the only one of its kind in the world, constitutes an incomparable direct link to the past of almost 6.5 million Irish and 40 million Irish-American people.
The death and dispersion of 2 million people, followed by a further 2 million emigrations to the end of the century, makes the exhibition an important gesture of cultural reconnection. The Irish diaspora defines Ireland’s place in the world today. The impact of the Famine is still with its descendants—both at home and abroad.
This major undertaking aims to strengthen the deep cultural connection between Ireland and its diaspora by showcasing the world’s largest collection of Great Hunger-related art never before exhibited on Irish soil. Please join with us in making this powerful artistic, cultural and educational endeavor a memorable one.
Visit the Exhibition
18 January - 16 March 2019
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin
An tSeaneaglais (Glassworks)
37 Mórshráid Shéamais
Derry, BT48 7DF
Northern Ireland
t: +44 2871 264132
e: eolas@culturlann.org
culturlann-doire.ie
Open Tuesday to Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Painting
Art and the Artists
Through the museum’s collection, layers of history are peeled back to uncover aspects of the story indecipherable by other means. Above all, the artworks stand proud as powerful, reflective and inspirational expressions of who the Irish once were, and how they became the people they are today—each piece chosen for its quality as art.
Fifty pieces of art have traveled from Quinnipiac University to Ireland to create this exhibition.
Gallery of Exhibition Art
Gallery
Coming Home: Art and the Great Hunger

“Famine Funeral”
John Coll
Painting
Programming
Schedule of Events
January 17, 2019
Official Launch of Coming Home: Art and the Great Hunger.
Location:An tSeaneaglais at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin.
January 27, 2019 @ 19:30
Concert: Mick Maloney and the Green Fields of America.
Location: An Croí at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin.
January 30, 2019 @ 13:00
Lecture-recital: Lauren O’Neill (UU)-“Traditional music in 19th century Ireland.”
Location: An Croí at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin.
January 30, 2019 @ 20:00
Concert: Declan O’Rourke & The Chronicles of the Famine
Location: An Croí at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin.
February 4, 2019 @ 19:00
Lecture: Martin Dowling- "The Great Hunger and Irish Musical Life."
Location: An Croí at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin.
February 5, 2019 @ 20:00
Concert: Benyounes String Quartet: including two compositions by Seán Doherty
Seán Doherty’s Fr McCarthy’s Lament and Prof. Boole’s Farewell were commissioned by University College Cork for the National Famine Commemoration in 2018. Each piece is based on a document from the Famine Years to mark the launch of Great Famine Online, a ground-breaking digital project which allows users access to interactive maps which facilitates research into the details of how the famine affected the population of Ireland.
Location: An Croí at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin.
February 10, 2019 @ 19:30
Concert: Michael Rooney: Famine Suite (new commission) – performers Macalla Orchestra and UU Choir.
Location: St. Columb's Hall.
Featured News
Educational Resources
The Hunger Times
Exploring the legacy of the Great Irish Famine and its relevance in a modern context, The Hunger Times is a short film aimed at children between the ages of 10 and 13, produced by Tile Media. This is the first time that a Famine story has been told on film through the eyes of children. Filmed on location in Ireland and the United States, the film was commissioned through an open competition by Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum (IGHM) at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, USA. It was funded by The Ireland Funds.
Educational materials
Scoilnet – The Department of Education and Skills portal for Irish education. Scoilnet has produced curriculum-related digital resources to support Coming Home: Art and the Great Hunger.
Free presentations and worksheets related to the exhibition are available at Scoilnet’s website:
School visits
For more information on booking school tours, please call 02871 264132 or email eolas@culturlann.org.
Support Us
Adopt an Artwork
Fifty pieces from Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum’s collection will be making the journey to Ireland for the Coming Home: Art and the Great Hunger exhibition. To assist with professional fine art shipping costs, as well as any conservation needs, the museum has created an Adopt an Artwork program to connect prospective donors with specific and tangible needs.
As part of the adoption process, participants will receive many benefits, including a print of the piece suitable for framing, an invitation to the collection send-off party, and a credit line on the gallery label giving recognition to the adoptive sponsor throughout the exhibition’s run in Ireland.
Thank you to the following donors who have supported the exhibition by adopting atwork:
- Rainbow’s End – Barry, Jaclyn and Bailey Bestle
- Cottages, West of Ireland – Lynn Bushnell
- Lest we Forget – O’Herron Family Foundation
- Gorta – Barry, Jaclyn and Bailey Bestle
- Irish Peasant Children – Doug James and Kay Mollick
- The Irish Piper - George and Monica Dunn
- A Young Man’s Troubles – Whyte’s
- Connemara Woman – Patricia Vitanza
- 5/9 Black '47 - Martha Ahlquist
- Famine Ship -Terrence Kenneally
- The Victim – The Ryan Family
- Feeding Chickens – George Waldron
- Scene in Connemara – Katie and Michael Regan
- Returning from an Irish Funeral – Lev and Ivan Nussberg
- The Irish Mother – Alan and Wendy Puzarne
- The Farewell – Janet Corcoran and Francis John Dwyer III
- Famine Funeral – Terrence Kenneally
- The Vigil – Lev and Ivan Nussberg
- Famine - Jean Husted and Becca Main