The Emigrants
This imposing sculpture at Larne’s Curran Park features a family group on their way to an emigrant ship, about to set out on the journey across the Atlantic. It might have been Friends Goodwill which was the first vessel to set sail from Larne to the Americas in 1717.
The figure of the father has his arms around his wife and son in a protective gesture, while the mother carries the family Bible to symbolise not only the importance of their faith to these 18th century emigrants but also that often the family tree and other documents were contained within the leaves of this precious book. The boy, carrying his shoes so as not to wear out the leather, also has a small bag containing his belongings. An added little feature for our feathered friends is that one of the shoes has been created as a bird bath!
The monument, cast in bronze, was designed on the advice of the Ulster-American Committee by sculptor Ed Barton and was unveiled in May 1992 by an American Professor, Dr. Bobby Moss of Blacksburg, South Carolina, an acknowledged expert on the role of the Ulster Scots in the American Revolution. The memorial tablet carries the statement from the Tyrone poet and cleric W. F. Marshall, that no other race in the United States can provide a roll so long and so shining with honour than can the Ulster Scots.
There is another sculpture at the far end of the park, that will keep for another day.
nick said,
September 4, 2011 at 8:53 am
Presumably they couldn’t afford socks either? It must have been a daunting prospect setting off on such a gruelling journey to an unknown destination. And of course many emigrants died before they even reached their new home.
Nancy said,
September 4, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Americans have been told from the minute they are able to understand that our Country is great because people from other countries came here and brought their talents and ambitions with them.
We would not be the Country that we are now if the only people to have come here were those who came on the Mayflower.
We have statues in many parks dedicated to the immigrants who left their homes all over the World to come to America. They are who made this Country great.
The best part is they brought so many of their traditions and recipes with them and shared them with all of us.
Every year we have parades in honor of St. Patrick ,
we have Polish-American Day, Ukranian Festivals,
Columbus Day honoring our Italian friends, Puerto Rican Pride Day and Asian parades with gigantic dragons and beautiful costumes. No parade would be complete without the Bagpipers who are so admired here. We use any excuse to hear a bagpiper play that wonderful instrument. Even funerals.
I really do enjoy your essays on the statuary in your beautiful parks. They are always informative,but better than that,they are really interesting and well written.
wisewebwoman said,
September 4, 2011 at 4:15 pm
It reminds me of the one in Cobh which always brings a tear.
XO
WWW
Grannymar said,
September 4, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Nick - The father appears to be wearing socks or stockings. Maybe the child was used to running about barefoot with shoes only for high days and holidays.
Nancy - Ireland has in recent years become more aware of celebrating the contribution our emigrants played in other countries and the difficulties they had on their journey to these new lands. Sculptures are appearing across the land. At Áras an Uachtaráin, the official home of the Irish President, a light burns in a window continuously for our emigrants.
WWW - I have read about, but have yet to see the sculpture in Cobh, County Cork.
Darlene said,
September 4, 2011 at 6:47 pm
I think the sculptor captured the sadness that the mother was feeling on having to leave her homeland, and perhaps having to leave her entire family.
The courage, and sometimes desperation, of the emigrants cannot be stressed enough.
Grannymar said,
September 4, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Darlene - I totally agree with you about the courage, and desperation. Unlike today, the folks who left these shores in the1700-1800s, had a one way ticket and never saw home again. I had an uncle who left Ireland in 1925 and never wrote or returned home.
Alice said,
September 5, 2011 at 1:05 am
I love those bird bath shoes! This was especially timely as we’ve just returned from NYC where we visited Ellis Island where many of those emigrants came through. There were so many poignant stories! We’re also deeply mired into a genealogy search for my family origins–definitely northern Ireland, England, Scotland…we’re set to “sail” the end of this month. I have 3 weeks to get ready, and am beginning to get excited at the prospect.
Grannymar said,
September 5, 2011 at 9:49 am
Alice - I hope the weather improves in these parts before you arrive. Dress like an onion with plenty of layer to peel off or on as needed. A Raincoat, Don’t forget a raincoat!
Grannymar » King Billy said,
November 20, 2011 at 6:00 am
[...] same committee. Back then I was aware of his ‘King Billy’ sculpture, but not about the Emigrants, featured back in September. I have been unsuccessful in finding links to a website or to other [...]