Acclaimed author and curator to present landmark historical talk in Swatragh tomorrow

Loretto Leary, acclaimed author and curator at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum, will present a landmark historical talk at Friels Bar and Restaurant, Swatragh, commemorating the one-year anniversary of Gorta tomorrow (Thursday, September 18) at 7.30pm.

The event will shed light on the little-known fate of Irish Famine immigrants who arrived on Staten Island—revealing the heartbreaking, yet resilient stories that connect Derry’s families with the harbors of New York.

Loretto Leary’s talk, “The Irish Famine Immigrant Experience on Staten Island,” delves into the perilous journey of thousands who fled Ireland during the Great Famine hoping for new life in America. Many found themselves at the Staten Island Marine Hospital and Quarantine Station, located at what is now the bustling Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Tragically, men, women, and children from Derry and beyond, weakened from hunger and disease, did not survive quarantine and were laid to rest in two mass burial sites that endure as symbols of silent sacrifice.

The anniversary event marks a year since Gorta—Swatragh’s visitor centre dedicated to famine remembrance—opened its doors to local and international audiences. By connecting Swatragh’s heritage to global stories of emigration and hope, Friels Bar and Restaurant continues its tradition of fostering dialogue and discovery in Northern Ireland’s heartland.

To allow the broader community to take part in this important reflection, attendees may enjoy free entry to the Gorta exhibition between 3pm and 7pm prior to the talk. The event at Friels promises education, commemoration, and connection—and stands as a testament to the courage and endurance of the Irish people across continents and centuries.

All are warmly invited to mark this historic anniversary and honour the memory of those who journeyed from Ireland’s fields to America’s shores.

Book online via Friels, call 028 7940 1206 or email bookings@friels.ie