An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger)

The Friends of Old Saint Mary's Cemetery were founded on March 17, 1998 in Milford, Ma for the purpose of restoring the honor and dignity of the gravesites of the original Irish settlers in Milford.  More than 8,000 and perhaps as many as 10,000 Irish immigrants, men, women and children are buried here.  

Many of those who left Ireland were already too weak and sick and never saw the shores of America when they died before the end of their sea voyage.  Others who came from Ireland to the United States found a home in Milford.  Some of these were unfortunately too sick, malnourished or weak to make a living here and died after their arrival.  There is a section in the original Saint Mary's Cemetery that became their common grave. 
Requesting funds from any who had a tie to Saint Mary's Parish and her beautiful cemetery, their plea found receptive and generous hearts from all around the USA and raised thousands of dollars to restore this section of the cemetery which was designated an historic site.  With these funds and their back breaking efforts over the next nine years, they cleared the old graveyard and restored the gravel paths, righted and secured toppled or leaning markers.  Before they would consider their work complete, the group desired to recognize the sacrifice of so many that have been forgotten over time.  With the funds remaining when the beautification of the cemetery was complete, and with a grant secured by from the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, they commissioned and erected a beautiful and dignified memorial to all those in an unmarked grave who were the victims of this genocide by the oppressors of the Irish people, those who feasted while the Irish languished in hunger and died by the millions.  This marker is of Royal Emerald Celtic Green Granite standing at 7 feet tall and with two side panels is ten feet across engraved with images of Ireland, the central image that of a ship commonly referred to as a 'coffin ship.'
Another group, whose Honor Roll of Donors is listed on a link on this page, organized their efforts under Father Daniel Mupcahy, Pastor of Saint Mary's Parish and the leadership of Maria Morais.  They raised $68,000 to restore the granite Round Tower, including removing the tree that was growing from inside it at the time as well as repaving the roads of the newer cemetery that Fr. Cuddihy had purchased when he realized that the Old Saint Mary's was not big enough to meet the needs of his growing parish.  The remaining funds from this project were used to install a granite bench at the base of the Round Tower.
Then, on Memorial Day in 2011, this magnificent memorial to the Great Hunger was dedicated.  Following Mass that was celebrated in the cemetery by Fr. Daniel Mulcahey, Pastor of Saint Mary's Parish,  led by a bagpiper, they walked to this site to ask God's blessing.  They placed a wreath as 'Amazing Grace' on the bagpipes resounded across the fields followed by a rendition of 'Golden Rose' the song of Our Lady of Knock.   As they prayed, a 'soft rain' fall on the gathering, reminiscent of the familiar climate of Erin.  

Let us never forget - An Gorta Mor.

To visit the memorial, it is located in the cemetery facing Hamilton Avenue, adjacent to Route 85, Cedar Street in Milford.