The new track, released by David Furey, “Presidents & Ghosts,” reflects on how many Irish traveled to the United States, during the Great Hunger, in search of a new life, and in the hope of survival.
Earlier this year, Irish artist, Furey, joined Damien Dempsey in a Great Hunger commemoration walk, in Dublin, from the Garden of Remembrance, on Parnell Square, to Glasnevin Cemetery. The theme of the walk was Gan Bia, Gan Beal, Gan Ainm” (Without Food, Without Voice, Without Remembrance).
Glasnevin Cemetery has the largest mass grave in Ireland, with over 200,000 victims of Ireland’s Great Hunger interred. Names of all Famine victims have been kept in the Glasnevin registry, highly unusual for Famine mass burials.
Read more: Family fights for Great Hunger monument for all in Glasnevin Cemetery
“Through remembering, healing happens” said walk organizer Waylon Gary White Deer, a Choctaw Indian, a group who donated to the Irish Famine relief in 1847.
Furey’s song, part of his new album “Easy Come Easy Go.” Speaking about his song “Presidents & Ghosts” Furey said "My view is that there was no Famine. The human response to the natural disaster cost many thousands of Irish lives to be lost with many more being forced to flee in order to try and survive. Many didn't survive.
“The title ‘Presidents and Ghosts’ reflects the contrasting fortunes of those who tried to emigrate. Many of those who settled became successful business men, politicians, providers for both their families and the New cities springing up around North America. While the Ghosts continue to haunt the waves, reminding us off the most tragic period in modern Irish history. It changed Ireland completely and I think its influence still lingers in the shadows of our mountains."
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For more information visit daviefurey.com.
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