Parting is such sweet sorrow - or maybe not in this case
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325759)
Rockingham, Australia
August 30, 2018 7:21pm CST
I seem to take a lot of photos of the various statues and installations that we see in our travels. I did notice that many that we saw in Ireland were bleak and somewhat depressing. Of course the Irish had a very harsh time of it for many years with hundreds of thousands emigrating in search of a better life to countries such as Australia, the USA and Canada.
This is another that conjures up negative emotions. I’d forgotten all about this photo which was taken in 2015. The statue of the woman and child stands in the town of Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland. Swinford is known for its fishing and nearby lakes.
A plaque near the statue says ‘This sculpture is dedicated by Mr Bill Durkan to the memory of the women who remained at home while their men sought work abroad during the emigration of the 1950s. I find the statue very sobering.
The first part of the title is from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
31 people like this
31 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Aug 18
That statue really does depict a sad farewell.
5 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Sep 18
@JudyEv I can imagine that happening too.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
31 Aug 18
Parting is only sweet sorrow when we know that we will meet again tomorrow or very soon. It kind of reminds me of when my dad left for Canada but thankfully we were able to join him a couple of years later.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
1 Sep 18
@JudyEv That's very sad that many never came home again. 
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48420)
• Canada
31 Aug 18
So many unspoken emotions when one views this statue.
The hardships endured by the Irish are no secret to me. Our family immigrated to Canada from there, and about 8 or 9 years ago, we had a couple from Australia come knocking on the homeplace farm door. They traced their roots to us, and apparently our lineage all of the way back many hundreds of years in Ireland.
Its a small world after all, and its our history and the stories handed down that keep it small.
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (48420)
• Canada
31 Aug 18
@sueznewz2 It was pretty mind boggling. The idea of travelling to a stranger's home and introducing yourself as a "relative" is become more the norm with people tracing back their ancestory. That couple knew so many family members from various generations, they were family.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
There are many stories like this. Some had intended to go to Canada but somehow finished up in Australia and vice versa. It must have been a bit jaw-dropping to have your relatives knock at the door and know so much about the family.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
31 Aug 18
We have a saying in Italy "partire è un po' morire" (parting is a bit like dying). It is so sad to know that even in our days many men and women have to leave their country and their families to go to another country to work. Many Filipinos work in countries like Kuwait and Emirates and they are treated like slaves.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 18
@LadyDuck I think this happens here but I don't know the full extent of it. We are so fussy about who we let in that I'd be a bit surprised if they are allowed to stay for some years but I think they must be. I need to research it further. I'm just found out that they can apply for permanent residency. This is granted based on skills, qualifications, entrepreneurial spirit and employment potential. Philippinos are one of the fastest growing migrant communities here.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
I hadn't really known about the Philippino situation until joining myLot. There are a lot of Philippino workers in Australia but I didn't realise they are just working offshore and not here as permanent residents. At least most of those in Australia aren't treated like slaves but if they are smuggled in in some way then their circumstances are very bad.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
1 Sep 18
That story is repeated many times over by our countrymen, including mothers, who leave their children back home to work abroad if only to be able to send their children to school. Even teachers have to "lose" their dignity by becoming domestic helpers. That is why, these men and women are looked up to as the modern heroes of our times. My salute to them!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
@sunrisefan We have found your countrymen and women working here, particularly in aged care facilities. They are very caring and kind to the elderly. I'm a bit surprised we let them in as workers. Are they able to work in Australia for some years or just for short periods?
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
1 Sep 18
@JudyEv Yes, you're right, Ms. Judy - Australians are much better off than us and don't need to do what my countrymen have to do. In fact, Australia is also one of the places where our countrymen go to and work.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
1 Sep 18
People from this country go to other countries to find work.
Its a solemn statue yes but it tells very much of what they suffered in those times.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
2 Sep 18
@JudyEv
No and I don´t think that there was either in those times.
They had to rely on family to help them out I guess and the same was in England also and Scotland and Wales.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 18
@lovinangelsinstead21 Our early settlers were all from these countries, then after the wars we had refugees and displaced persons from other countries.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
And do they go a long way for work or just to a neighbouring island? I guess the real question is how often do they get back to see their families?
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
31 Aug 18
I felt the sense of diaspora when I was in Killarney and trying to come to grips with what was going on that sent my 15-year-old ancestor across the seas to the United States in 1847. But really he was just one of my ancestors, 3 others left at about the same time and then my earlier ones who left in the 1790s for Canada. I felt the tug on my heartstrings.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@JudyEv I am not sure his parents survived the famine. He came to find work I assume. I know our family must have gone both ways since I have numerous DNA matches with people in Australia. The famine was at its peak in 1847 so I assume hunger was a real incentive to leave and maybe they only had money for one, I don't know but it breaks my heart.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94512)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
31 Aug 18
That is a very interesting statue in Ireland.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94512)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
1 Sep 18
@JudyEv I know what you mean since my brother in law is of Irish descent.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
@Deepizzaguy Many, many Australians have Irish blood in them too.
@Shiva49 (26200)
• Singapore
1 Sep 18
@JudyEv Automated Teller Machine.
Just like an ATM is a machine that allows people to take out money from their bank account by using a special card, many get used to depending on those working abroad who send their savings to support their families staying behind. Soon it becomes a habit with many getting used to easy money.
Earn in dollars and spend in rupees and pesos but not the other way around! siva
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
31 Aug 18
Irish history is sort of bleak , now that you mention. Thank you for sharing
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
They have had a lot of persecution and famine over the centuries - and they also seem to have very long memories.
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
@compslick The Irish Catholics were very much persecuted by the British for their religious beliefs and there were also long periods of famine.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40248)
• United States
2 Sep 18
@JudyEv I heard of some of the unrest between N.Ireland and the rest of the country... it's a pity such a beautiful place has such unrest
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
31 Aug 18
We forget that many people have to be separated because of work situations, even today. This is such a sad image.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
People are still leaving their homelands in search of a better life. In some ways the situation is even worse today.
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
@compslick It's interesting that you find it creepy.
@vandana7 (98826)
• India
31 Aug 18
Of late, statues have become a great way to siphon monies and generate black money. You see, art's correct value cannot be assessed. So what may be worth $500 government pays $50000 and pockets almost $49000 in black (no tax paid) currency. Auditor has no say in that. Smart way to embezzle tax payer's monies, eh? I say no statues of political leaders or other activists, past, present, or future. If they want to install such a thing, it should come from party's funds, not tax payers funds. This statue, however, qualifies as art and captures the emotions of that historic period.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
31 Aug 18
yes it does look a bit bleak... but It's a good way of honoring those women .... and it still goes on today in sooo many countries families are divided because of the availability of work ...
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 18
That could well be so. I didn't know you lived in Ireland. It seems one's home country charges most tax so American writers and actors head for England (or Ireland) and the English (and Irish) head for the US. But perhaps I have it wrong too.
1 person likes this
@proseprity68 (331)
• United States
1 Sep 18
Parting is pure sorrow for me.
My older sister and I lost our mom 12 years ago but still the pain of losing her to Parkinson's has left its mark in our hearts.
Seeing a loved one active and happy and slowly starts to move a little bit slower than she used to.
I am still thankful tho because of the fact that even though she was already bedridden her memory was still good.
Miss her terribly :-(
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 18
I'm so sorry for your loss. I think most people never get over losing their mother.
