Famine caused 33% drop in Killaloe population

THE population in the parish of Killaloe dropped by an alarming 33% as a result of the devastation caused by the Famine, according to historical records.
The combination of a lack of food, employment and hope for a better future combined to reduce the number of people living in Killaloe parish from 8,007 in 1841 to 5,606 in 1851.
While the town of Killaloe lost 191 people through emigration, like a lot of areas in the West of Ireland, the rural townlands in Killaloe parish were the worst hit by the ravages of the Famine.
The devastating impact of the Famine in the locality was outlined by Una Kierse during her address at a local commemorative event as part of the National Famine Commemoration events, which are being held throughout the county between May 3 and 12.
Over 60 people attended a reading account of an emigration scene at the Pier Head, Killaloe on Sunday with wreath-laying, music, song and prayer.
It was fitting the commemoration was held at the Pier Head, which was the scene of tearful farewells by people who emigrated to England, the United States of America and Australia.
A vivid description of an emigration scene at the Pier Head in 1852 was provided by English man John Forbes, who was travelling from Limerick to Dublin.
Mr Forbes recalled the little pier crowded with people and the confusion and crowding was further increased by the whole front of the vessel being occupied by cattle.
When a party of emigrants came on board, he noted they became very distressed, they were clinging to each other, kissing each other with the utmost ardour and calling out in loud broken tones endearing names of their brother, sister, mother, sobbing and crying.
When final orders were given to clear the ship and gangway, he stated the howl of agony that arose at once from the departing deck and abandoned pier was profoundly overpowering.
People cried out, “Oh Mary, oh mother dear, oh brother, God bless you, God preserve you, the Lord in heaven protect you”. A 1,000 wild and pious ejaculations were broken and intermixed by agonising cries and choking sobs, which filled the air.  
This graphic illustration at the sadness caused by departing emigrants was in sharp contrast to the account given by Henry English about Killaloe in 1834 in his book A Journey Throughout Ireland.
Mr English noted an improvement in Killaloe was due largely to the impact of the Steam Navigation Company, whose headquarters was in the town.
He pointed out there was regular steam connections for goods and passengers up the Shannon to Athlone and from the same point by package boat to Limerick.
He noted the benefits from the company’s presence arose from the construction of buildings and docks and so on and the general employment provided, which in turn supported other businesses in the town.
The extensive slate quarries in the locality also created an annual export of 100,000 tonnes and provided £300 in weekly wages to the town.
An extensive mill was also installed at the time for sawing of marble and stone.
This commemoration event was co-ordinated by Mary O’Shaughnessy and Una Kierse. Her father, Sean, outlined pre-Famine years in Killaloe-Ballina and was joined by Lydia Hayes and Mary O’Shaughnessy in reading accounts of an emigration sene at the Pier Head.
Prayers were recited by girls from Killaloe Primary School – Cliodhna Hogan, Tara McNamara and Maria Scanlan, while local musicians – Mary, Katie and Laura Donoghue, Donal and Eimear Watson and singer, Angela Seymour, who sang Ellis Island, truly enhanced the ceremony. Audrey Kenny from the local coast guard unit laid the commemorative wreath.
It was also attended by interested onlookers and Clare heritage officer, Congella Maguire, who had asked the local committee to produce something to commemorate the famine.
Following the ceremony, all the attendance enjoyed refreshments and a chat in the nearby parish centre.