Look what we found in the streets of Ballina

@JudyEv (382664)

Rockingham, Australia

April 13, 2023 11:48am CST

We were walking down the street this morning and came across this poignant statue of a young girl. The plaque at the base said, first in Irish then in English: [i]In memory of c. 138 Mayo orphan family girls sent to Australia 1848-50 from Ballina (87), Ballinrobe (26), Castlebar (15) and Westport (10) Workhouses and all victims of the Great Hunger. Scattered by the ravages of Famine. Nation builders in Australia.[/i] It is to be hoped that at least some of the girls went on to have pleasant and productive lives. Sometimes it seems the world is full of sadness.

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14 responses

@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

13 Apr 23

Oh the sculptures are so lovely in Ireland thanks Judy.

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@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

13 Apr 23

@JudyEv My favorite is the Mermaid in Dublin but I believe they moved it from O'Connell Street since I was there years ago.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Apr 23

They are indeed something to admire. We haven't seen a bad one yet.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Apr 23

@RebeccasFarm I don't remember seeing this. We hope to do a trip to Dublin later.

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@LadyDuck (502886)

• Italy

14 Apr 23

The great famine was the cause of so many Irish moving to other countries. This is a pretty statue.

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@LadyDuck (502886)

• Italy

14 Apr 23

@JudyEv - It is so sad to think how many back in time had to start an adventure in a new world just because they had nothing to eat.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

15 Apr 23

@LadyDuck It is sad indeed. Mayo in particular was hit hard by the famine.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Apr 23

It is very moving to see these acknowledgements to those poor souls that had such a hard start to their lives.

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@flapiz (23530)

• United Kingdom

13 Apr 23

I love street statues and art. Specially one with empathic and great meaning like this one. Your posts of Ballina makes me want to come visit it.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Apr 23

It seems all the villages here have something of interest but maybe it's because it's a new-ish country to me.

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@flapiz (23530)

• United Kingdom

13 Apr 23

@JudyEv It is a cute blend country and modern

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@DaddyEvil (174749)

• United States

13 Apr 23

I wonder how much of the artwork you're finding will remain once Biden's visit is over?

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@DaddyEvil (174749)

• United States

13 Apr 23

@JudyEv Things like that statue might stay but also may be on loan from somewhere else and would return to it's original setting after Biden leaves again.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Apr 23

@DaddyEvil That could be so.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Apr 23

I'm sure the bunting and flags will all come down but I should think a lot of the rest would stay.

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@JamesHxstatic (29410)

• Eugene, Oregon

13 Apr 23

How sad that memory is. But Australia gained so much by the people who were sent there, I have heard.

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@JamesHxstatic (29410)

• Eugene, Oregon

13 Apr 23

@JudyEv I'm just about four generations away.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Apr 23

@JamesHxstatic Vince is only two. Two grandparents were born in Ireland and, because one was alive when he was born, he has been able to get Irish citizenship.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Apr 23

We did indeed. So many of our citizens, and possibly yours, have Irish blood running in their veins.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

14 Apr 23

I totally could see this statue in my backyard. Love this one Judy. Hope your trip is going well.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

15 Apr 23

We went for another lovely drive today. I'll try to post photos soon.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

15 Apr 23

@JudyEv Oh good, looking forward to the photos.

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@snowy22315 (209221)

• United States

13 Apr 23

That is an amazing statue. The streets there look so clean. It looks like a very nice place to visit.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Apr 23

They always look pretty clean but they've also all been spruced up for Biden's visit.

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@FourWalls (86940)

• United States

13 Apr 23

I remember a song Christy Moore and his brother, Luka Bloom (Luka changed his professional name so he didn’t have to live in Christy’s shadow, because Christy is a legend in Irish folk music), did called “City of Chicago,” about the Famine and the Irish who immigrated to America. A terribly sad time in world (not just Irish) history.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Apr 23

Our countries wouldn't be what they are if it weren't for the Irish immigrants. I guess sometimes 'good' comes out of 'bad'.

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@wolfgirl569 (136063)

• Marion, Ohio

14 Apr 23

I hope they all had wonderful lives after

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Apr 23

It would be nice to think that. Surely some had better lives than staying in the workhouses.

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@sol_cee (38669)

• Philippines

15 Apr 23

How sad it must be to be sent in a far away place because there was no other choice

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@Ronrybs (21492)

• London, England

14 Apr 23

Very harsh times, back then and an indifferent Government

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Apr 23

So true. The stories can be incredibly depressing and upsetting.

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@LindaOHio (222896)

• United States

24 Apr 23

Such a shame. Beautiful statue.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Apr 23

This part of Ireland was very badly hit by the famine.

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@Icydoll (36713)

• India

13 Apr 23

That's a nice statue with great meaning.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Apr 23

Thank you. Yes, I thought so too.

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@Beestring (15372)

• Hong Kong

14 Apr 23

That is a very nice statue. I noted that the street is so clean.

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@JudyEv (382664)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Apr 23

It's had another wash and sweep since we took the photo.

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