A MAJOR conference at CECAS in Leap recently brought together well-known historians who explored the local impact of the Famine in Myross and Castlehaven.

Organised by the Myross and Castlehaven History Society, the conference on saw contributions from an impressive panel of speakers who took a fresh, in-depth look at Irish history.

‘The knowledge and detail was extremely impressive. The speakers were sending really complimentary messages afterwards and one of them described it as a really memorable day,’ said Mary O’Donovan, of Myross and Castlehaven History Society.

Around 70 participants at the sold-out conference heard Dr John Crowley of UCC, co-editor of the award-winning Atlas of the Great Irish Famine, share his expertise on famine geography and
legacy.

Local historian Philip O’Regan, Skibbereen native and well-known author on famine history, contributed his insights grounded in his comprehensive research.

Archivist Bernie Deasy, a regular contributor to the Castlehaven & Myross History Society Journal, focused on the local historical record while Professor Oonagh Walsh of Glasgow Caledonian University explored the famine’s long-term health impacts, including research on epigenetics.

Adding a creative dimension, writer Maeve O’Sullivan reflected on the role of storytelling and memory in preserving local history and personal stories.

Songs and poems were also performed including by Maureen O’Donovan from Union Hall, Paddy Barnes, Brendan McCarthy and Michael Sexton, chairperson of Myross and Castlehaven History Society.

Organisers said that among the participants who gave their valuable perspectives was Terri Kearney, of Skibbereen Heritage Centre.

With the event, the history society is contributing to a national campaign to ensure that the names and experiences of those who lived and died during the Famine are not forgotten.

‘We are now far away from the Famine and we are getting to the stage where people are able to look back on it with a more objective view,’ said Mary.

‘The tragedy was so great that people did not talk about it for so long and referred to it as the bad times. They really could not talk about it.’

The history society’s upcoming events include a talk by Shannon Forde, of the Lusitania Museum in Kinsale on May 18th, and a boat trip along the coast from Baltimore to Castlehaven with historical commentary on June 6th.