Famine Mother and Children

Title:    Famine Mother and Children
Artist/Maker:    Behan, John
Date Created:    2000
Medium-Tech:    Bronze
Dim-English:    23 in x 9.5 in x 4 in
Object #:    2000.4
Exhibit Label:    John Behan, RHA
b. 1938
Famine Mother and Children
Bronze 23 x 10.5 x 4 in
Purchase, 2000 (2000.4)
This work is based on the 1849 illustration, “Bridget O’Donnel and her Children,” featured in the Illustrated London News.
Bridget narrates:
“ I was at this time lying in fever… men came to tumble my house; they wanted me to give possession. I said that I would not; I had fever, and was within two months of my down-lying (confinement); they commenced knocking down the house… I had the priest and the doctor attend me shortly after. Father Meehan anointed me. I was carried into a cabin and lay there for eight days, when I had the creature (the child) born dead… and one boy thirteen years old died with want and with hunger while we were lying sick. Dan Sheedey and Blake took the corn into Kilrush and sold it. I don’t know what they got for it. I had not a bit for my children to eat when they took it from me.” I had the priest and the doctor attend me shortly after. Father Meehan anointed me. I was carried into a cabin and lay there for eight days, when I had the creature (the child) born dead… and one boy thirteen years old died with want and with hunger while we were lying sick. Dan Sheedey and Blake took the corn into Kilrush and sold it. I don’t know what they got for it. I had not a bit for my children to eat when they took it from me.”