The Rededication

On Saturday, September 14, 2019 the Rhode Island Irish Famine Memorial was rededicated. This rededication was due to serious theft and vandalism that occurred the year before.[1] In mid-August 2018, a plaque was stolen from the historical narrative wall of the memorial, and on August 30th, a second plaque was reported stolen.[2] The ceremony was free and open to the public and included a rededication by Don Deignan, current president of the Famine Memorial Committee. During his speech, Deignan states that the memorial as a tribute to their Irish ancestors who not only survive the Great Famine and the journey to America, but also the economic discrimination and religious persecution faced here. He also described the memorial as “a precious public gift to future generations of visitors from all ethnic backgrounds.”[3]

[1] Ibid.

[2] “Thieves Plunder RI’s Irish Famine Memorial.” WPRI.Com, WPRI.com, 14 Sept. 2018, https://www.wpri.com/news/thieves-plunder-ris-irish-famine-memorial/.

[3] “R. I. Irish Famine Memorial .” R. I. Irish Famine Memorial , https://rifaminememorial.com.