Grateful today for community, heritage, and the stories that endure. From our small cottages to vast skies, Ireland’s spirit lives on here in Fairfield. Happy Thanksgiving from the Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield. #IGHMF #IrishArt #IrishHistory #GreatHunger #ConnecticutArts #FairfieldCT

A quiet carriage arrives at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion… In early 2026, these historic rooms will open for a special exhibition exploring Irish memory, migration, and the stories that shaped a new America. More details soon.

A new addition to the Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield. Alfred Downing Fripp’s Irish Mendicants shows an elderly blind man, a barefoot mother and a child in a bleak landscape. Painted just as the blight arrived, it captures life on the edge of disaster.

We are expanding the Great Hunger collection again in 2026. This 19th century painting by American artist Howard Helmick is one of the new works joining the museum. Helmick painted life in Cork, Kerry and Galway with honesty and care. Learn more at www.IGHMF.org

This is Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ, painted in 1602. What’s wild is that its journey to this wall to the National Gallery in Dublin is one of the greatest art-world stories of the last century.

🎶 Ireland in Poetry & Song with Pulitzer Prize-winner Paul Muldoon and Irish folk legend John Doyle 📍 SHU Community Theatre, Fairfield CT 🗓️ Fri Nov 7 | 8 PM 🎟️ $50 General | $125 Pre-show with Chris Coogan Tickets ➡️ www.ighmf.org/event-detail... #IrishCulture #FairfieldCT #LiveMusic

I just had 10 days in Ireland and I feel like the frog who temporarily escaped the pot of boiling water.

I’m just going to let the art speak for itself. If you’d like to learn more, or join our mission visit www.ighmf.org Thank you to Carey Weber at Fairfield University for arranging this amazing exhibit and video. youtu.be/Q1h1O1IuvM8?...

It rains every significant day on this journey to build a home for the collection. Almost as if the heavens know the weight of what we’re trying to carry forward. Join us www.IGHMF.org www.fairfield.edu/museum/exhib...

They sure did get those Tate boys out of Romania, though.

Still processing the emotion and energy of last night’s Gala. What a night for community, history, and hope. For now, here’s a moment that says it all — a stunning violin performance by Arav Amin. #IGHMF #IrishCulture #GreatHunger

Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

Loretto & I spoke at Groton Public Library on CT’s Irish Famine history—on the same day funding was cut for The Famine Early Warning Systems Network. Ignoring history dooms us to repeat it. Hunger & displacement still plague the world. We must do better. @celticscribbler.bsky.social #famine

Quick resistance task: 😉 1️⃣ Google Gulf of Mexico. 2️⃣ See Gulf of America? Click the 3 dots next to it. 3️⃣ Tap Send Feedback. 4️⃣ Click Gulf of America → Inaccurate content. 5️⃣ Select Incorrect & type: “The correct name is Gulf of Mexico.” More reports = better! 😉 #gulfofmexico #resist

If you have any way to do so, I hope you can all see the new exhibition at The Met Museum here in NYC: Caspar David Friedrich- The Soul of Nature : 08 Feb- 11 May . His technique and understanding of light , of course, but his themes, his ideas, his expression- just sublime .

First they came for the immigrants, and I stayed silent Because I was not an immigrant. Then they came for the poor, and I stayed silent, Because I was not struggling. Then they came for the journalists and protestors, and I stayed silent. Then they came for me And no one was left to speak.

Children are often the innocent victims of war, migration, and ruthless policies. Daniel Macdonald’s Irish Peasant Children, painted during Ireland’s Great Hunger, subtly reminds us of the vulnerability of children in times of upheaval. #art #immigration #children #compassion #migration #fineart

Famine exemplifies Glenna Goodacre’s ability to convey historical tragedy’s human cost. This bronze piece pays tribute to those who endured the Great Hunger, reminding us of their courage and perseverance. Explore its legacy at www.IGHMF.org. #IrishHistory #art #famine #sculpture #fineart

Goodacre, known for her clay sketches and public monuments, used Famine to tell a powerful story in a modest scale. The sculpture captures human despair and resilience, making it a poignant reminder of the strength required to survive such dark times. #GreatHungerMuseum #FamineMemorial #fineart

Glenna Goodacre’s Famine is a stunning bronze sculpture created for the Irish Famine Memorial in #Philadelphia. Though small in size, its emotional impact is immense, reflecting the suffering and resilience of those who endured Ireland’s Great Hunger. #IrishArt #CulturalHeritage #sculpture

I wrote this on one of the darkest days of my life. It gave me an anchor to hold onto.

Visit the American Irish Historical Society at 991 5th Ave, NYC, to explore the powerful story of Ireland’s Great Hunger. Through stunning sculptures and illustrations, this exhibit captures resilience and survival. Don’t miss it! Register for the intro event here: www.aihsny.org #IrishHistory #AIHS

Though we may feel abandoned, hope endures. Like our ancestors who faced unimaginable suffering, we too will overcome. In this Bluesky community, let’s support one another, share kindness, and find strength together. Resilience is in our history—and our future. #Hope #Solidarity #IrishArt #fineart

Charlotte Kelly’s Abandonment (2011) captures the loneliness of famine and loss, a feeling many can relate to today. The muted tones evoke desolation, yet also remind us of the resilience of our ancestors during Ireland’s Great Hunger. Their strength lives on in us. #GreatHungerMuseum #Resilience

Spent a lot of time the other day in front of Thomas Cole’s five-painting cycle, The Course of Empire, at @nyhistory.bsky.social. Posting “Destruction” today for no particular reason.

Rewatching the Eras Tour on Disney+ today (Jan 20) and remembering that unforgettable night in Dublin with my daughters and nieces. Summer ’24 was a summer of hope, and I’m holding onto that feeling today. #ErasTour #Dublin

So #TikTok is back for one of my kids but not for me or my other child. The difference? She is on Red Note—guess her Chinese spy decided she’s in the clear.

Mike Johnson’s decision to bundle a #TikTok ban with a foreign aid package is a manipulative tactic that forces lawmakers into a difficult position. This move highlights the Democrats’ inability to effectively counter, resulting in policies that do not align with our interests.

Removed ‘Democrat’ from my profile today. Can’t stand by a party whose selfish missteps paved the way for an insurrectionist’s return and gave him an easy win by restoring ‘free speech’ with the #TikTokBan. This isn’t leadership—it’s failure.

Explore the powerful Great Hunger in Art and Sculpture exhibition at the American Irish Historical Society in NYC, featuring works by John Behan and others. These pieces vividly capture the resilience and loss of the Irish Famine era. Don’t miss it! www.IGHMF.org #art #irishart #greathunger #nycart

Alexander Williams captured Achill Island’s stark beauty and sorrow after the Great Hunger. In Cottage, Achill Island, a spectral figure in the doorway evokes the evictions and suffering of Ireland’s rural poor, blending haunting realities with the island’s rugged landscapes #art #irishart #ighmf

“The Ragpickers” by Henry Allan (1900) portrays resilience and dignity in poverty during Ireland’s Great Hunger. Their struggle mirrors today’s immigrants—facing hardship yet persevering with strength. Art connects us to these shared stories of survival. Visit www.IGHMF.org #irishart #art #fineart

4/4 Michael Farrell (1940–2000) used art to expose injustice. His Black ’47 combines Holocaust imagery with famine history, linking human suffering across eras. Farrell’s work is a bold call for compassion and remembrance. #IrishArt #GreatHunger” #fineart www.IGHMF.org #art

3/4 Farrell’s Black ’47 honors Sultan Abdülmecid, who sent aid to Ireland in 1847 despite British resistance. His act of solidarity reminds us of humanity’s potential to transcend borders and injustice. A light in a dark chapter of history. #GreatHunger #IrishHistory

2/4 Charles Trevelyan, a British Treasury official during the Great Hunger, justified withholding food aid, exacerbating Ireland’s suffering. His actions reflect the inhumanity depicted in Black ’47. History must remember those who failed to act. #IrishHistory #GreatHunger #irishart #art #fineart

1/4 Michael Farrell’s Black ’47 (1997-1998) confronts the horrors of Ireland’s Great Hunger. Skeletons symbolize famine victims, while discarded shoes recall Nazi death camps. A haunting reminder of suffering, resilience, and unity. Learn more: www.IGHMF.org #GreatHunger #IrishArt #fineart

This painting reflects the “real” Ireland—a repository of Gaelic culture, shaped by colonialism and poverty. Women, like the one in “Connemara Woman,” embody tradition, domesticity, and the enduring spirit of the Irish west. Discover more at #GreatHungerMuseumofFairfield www.IGHMF.org

Connemara Woman with Red Skirt” by Seán O’Sullivan (1952) captures the essence of Ireland’s west. A rosy-cheeked woman in traditional dress stands against a rugged Connemara backdrop, symbolizing resilience, authenticity, and a deep connection to nature. #IrishArt #greathunger #art #fineart

It’s Christmas Eve, and this painting reminds me of home—the quiet, simplistic beauty of it. Wishing all of you a very happy Christmas filled with peace, warmth, and the comfort of home. Nollaig Shona Daoibh! Paul Henry’s “Cottages, West of Ireland” captures this feeling so beautifully. #fineart

4/4 The Heart of the Museum Standing before Derrynane, I saw more than a painting. I saw my home, my history, and my purpose. This is why we’re rebuilding Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum: to share these stories, these landscapes, and the art that brings them to life. It all started with this painting.

3/4History in Every Brushstroke Yeats painted Derrynane from memory, but it’s so much more than a landscape. Home to Daniel O’Connell, the Liberator, Derrynane holds echoes of Ireland’s struggle, resilience, and tragedy. Skellig Michael looms in the distance—a testament to history and endurance #art

The Artist Behind the Masterpiece Jack B. Yeats (1871–1957) is Ireland’s national painter. Derrynane is a striking example of his middle period. Bold, emotional, and alive with color, it blends memory and history. For me, this painting is more than art—it’s a window into Ireland’s soul. #irishart

1/1 Life-Changing The first time I stood before Derrynane by Jack B. Yeats, I was stopped in my tracks. Growing up in Kerry, this landscape was part of my childhood. Derrynane, not far from my home, holds so much history. I knew then: I would build a museum to share this painting and its story #art

2/2 Farrell’s work underscores art’s role in shaping public opinion and influencing political policy. By confronting historical injustices, “The Wounded Wonder” invites reflection on Ireland’s past, highlighting art’s power to inspire societal change #art #colonialism #irishart #ireland #greathunger

Micheal Farrell’s “The Wounded Wonder” (1997–98) employs potent symbolism to critique the Great Famine’s impact on Irish identity. The piece reflects Farrell’s commitment to addressing themes of colonialism and political violence through art. #art #irishart www.ighmf.org

5/5 Jane Leary and the 110 Skibbereen girls’ legacy lives on in bronze spoons embedded in the workhouse walls. This powerful art project links Skibbereen to Uillinn & IGHMF, fostering shared history between Ireland & America. #ArtAndCulture #MigrationStories #IGHMF www.IGHMF.org

4/5 The hospital, built on the site of the Skibbereen Workhouse, became the heart of the “110 Skibbereen Girls” project. Patients and staff shaped wax spoons as a communal act of remembrance, bridging past and present through art. #FamineHistory #ArtForChange #SkibbereenGirls #art #irishart

3/5 During the famine, a spoon was one of the few items given to girls like Jane Leary as they crossed the ocean to Australia. McCullim’s project transformed this humble object into a symbol of survival, casting 110 spoons in bronze to honor their journey. #ArtAndMemory #Skibbereen #art #irishart

2/5 Toma McCullim’s “110 Skibbereen Girls” project reflects resilience and memory. Hospital staff and patients crafted wax spoons to honor famine-era girls who emigrated. The spoons, cast in bronze, were named after Jane Leary, one of these brave young women. #IrishHistory #Migration #art

1/5 In 1848, 110 girls from Skibbereen Workhouse were sent to Australia during the famine, given only a spoon for their journey. Artist Toma McCullim honored them by engaging a hospital community on the same site to create 110 wax spoons, later cast in bronze. #SkibbereenGirls #Art