Boston Irish Famine Memorial
Boston Irish Famine Memorial
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Neighborhood: Downtown
The largest area of the city, Downtown is rich with historical and iconic sites in Boston. Stroll through one of Boston’s most famous green spaces, the Boston Public Gardens, check out and make way for duckling statues, picnic under a beautiful tree overlooking the pond, and walk over the iconic footbridge where, during summer time, you will catch a swan boat toting children and eager tourists through the pond. Have your camera ready to capture its peaceful beauty in the middle of a bustling city. Continue on through the Gardens and take in some open green space at the Boston Common, where you can spend time throwing a frisbee, sitting on a park bench, or, in the winter time, skating on the frog pond. Head north from the end of the Common to see the golden dome of the State House, and travel through government center to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, both a historic and popular destination worth a quick visit for a first time to Boston. Head to Long Wharf to visit the Aquarium, or catch a boat to Charlestown or even Cape Cod.
How to get there
- State • 3 min walk
- Downtown Crossing • 4 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
109 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
46
Average
23
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Zoe O'Haillin
Indianapolis, IN52 contributions
Nov 2022
Both my husband and I are of Irish heritage. So, seeing the Famine Memorial was on our list of to-dos when visiting Boston for the first time. We actually stumbled across it quite by accident on our way to dinner our first night. It's in a rather unexpected yet highly visible place with plenty of foot traffic. Surely thousands of people pass it each day without giving it a second thought. So, be sure to stop and check it out if you see it - and be sure to read the plaques.
Having visited Ireland, we've seen many famine memorials and museums. So, it was very nice to see a memorial that approaches the history from the other side of the Atlantic. The plaques offered the Boston point of view and helped demystify the reasons behind Boston's strong ties to Irish heritage.
Having visited Ireland, we've seen many famine memorials and museums. So, it was very nice to see a memorial that approaches the history from the other side of the Atlantic. The plaques offered the Boston point of view and helped demystify the reasons behind Boston's strong ties to Irish heritage.
Written November 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob G
Bedfordshire, UK96 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Interesting area if the history isn't known. There are things to read and hopefully teach and educate people about the past.
Small little seating area right outside walgreens. Next to the free book library.
Small little seating area right outside walgreens. Next to the free book library.
Written November 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeachStone2C
Helsinki, Finland2,619 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
The Memorial is inside a small corner park in the corner of Washington and School streets. Interesting set of statues. There are benches to sit down and go back in time in history while watching people of today.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
big-bill3
Bristol, UK289 contributions
Sep 2019
this is on the Freedom Trail. Its well worth a few moments. A moving tribute to the movement of Irish migrants
Written May 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DramaQueen55
Woking, UK127 contributions
Oct 2019
As a UK couple we knew about the Irish Famine, but this memorial gave us details which which were unaware of. In particular, the fact that 118 ships laden with food, money and clothing were sent from America while the British Government did little to provide relief, and in fact made the situation worse. A moving memorial, despite the criticisms of the style of the statuary.
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorry
Cambridge, MA329 contributions
Oct 2019
Wasn't aware this was an Irish Famine Memorial. I pass around this area all the time without knowing what it represented.
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather K
Columbus, OH166 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Somber reminder in the middle of a bustling neighborhood that the Irish were once the unwelcome refugees here. There are cafes nearby to grab a drink and sit and reflect.
Written June 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katharine C
Island of Hawaii, HI298 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Irish famine – An Gorta Mor – this small park along the Freedom Train was unveiled on June 28, 1998. Located in downtown Boston, the $1 million park is visited annually by 3 million visitors. Eight narrative plaques tell the story of the famine and the massive migration to America. Two statues depict the starvation and heartache in Ireland, and the hope and promise in coming to America.
The tragic nature of this period of history is not for everyone. Some find the statue of those left behind deeply disturbing. This small park is on the Irish Heritage Trail adjacent to the Freedom Trail at this point in town.
The tragic nature of this period of history is not for everyone. Some find the statue of those left behind deeply disturbing. This small park is on the Irish Heritage Trail adjacent to the Freedom Trail at this point in town.
Written February 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeechwoodKnoll
Naples, Italy63 contributions
Located directly on the freedom trail, it is a touching memorial to the fortunate who escaped the famine ravaged country, and who descendants still help shape the city of Boston and Massachusetts. The markers surrounding the sculptures are very informative and help tell the story of the famine.
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connie C
Dallas, TX808 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Very well done monument. There are plaques to explain the potato famine and how the Irish made their way to America. There’s also a tribute to the successful contributors to Boston.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is a terrible piece of art.......and why is it the only memorial of Boston immigrants to have such a prominent place in the city??? They would not let the Polish memorial to the Nazi resisters to be on the Boston Common!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written November 29, 2017
I agree with William G. My understanding is that Boston Common and Public Garden both require numerous groups - City, Civic, neighborhood, etc. to agree upon and approve any changes or additions of anything in these parks.
Written November 30, 2017
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