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Monument · Westport, Mayo
National Famine Memorial
Bronze sculpture from 1997 by John Behan, shaped like a ship with skeletons instead of sails, at the foot of Croagh Patrick, in remembrance of those who died and emigrated in the Grande Fome.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About National Famine Memorial
The Memorial Nacional da Fome is in Murrisk, on the shore of Clew Bay and at the foot of Croagh Patrick, about 8 km from Westport. It was opened in 1997, on the 150th anniversary of 1847, the worst year of the Great Famine, which between 1845 and 1852 killed around one million people in Ireland and forced another million to emigrate. Mayo was one of the hardest-hit counties.
The sculpture, by Irish artist John Behan, is a bronze ship whose masts and rigging are formed by intertwined human skeletons. It recalls the coffin ships, the overcrowded and poorly equipped vessels that carried emigrants across the Atlantic, on which many died during the crossing.
The memorial stands in a small grassy park, with the sea on one side and the mountain on the other. On the same side of the road are the ruins of Murrisk Abbey, a 15th-century Augustinian convent by the water, reached by a short path.
It is a place for a brief, quiet visit, often combined with the climb up Croagh Patrick, whose trail begins on the opposite side of the road.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
15 to 30 minutes, plus 20 minutes for Murrisk Abbey.
Best time
In the late afternoon, with light over the bay, or after climbing Croagh Patrick. It is accessible at any time of year.
How to get there
It is in Murrisk, on the R335 road, about 8 km west of Westport, opposite the Croagh Patrick trail car park.
Tip
Walk over to the ruins of Murrisk Abbey, by the water right next door. Combine it with Croagh Patrick on the same day.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about National Famine Memorial
What does the bronze ship represent?
The coffin ships, overcrowded vessels that carried emigrants during the Great Famine, in which many died on the crossing. The skeletons form the masts and rigging.
Who made the sculpture?
The Irish artist John Behan. The memorial was unveiled in 1997.
Is the memorial near Croagh Patrick?
Yes, opposite the car park from which the mountain trail starts, in Murrisk.