9
May 2009 - National Famine Memorial Week 2009 – Eneclann
raises funds for Gorta and commemorates two Skibbereen Doctors
Dublin, Ireland – Saturday 9 May 2009 –
To coincide with the inaugural National Famine Memorial Week
in Skibbereen (10-17 May 2009) Eneclann, the Dublin-based
history and heritage company, is commemorating the work of
two local doctors during the Famine, as well as raising money
for Gorta to aid present day famine victims.
Dr. Donovan and Dr. Hadden
As dispensary doctors in Skibbereen and the surrounding area,
Dr. Daniel Donovan and Dr. David Hadden experienced at first
hand the very worst effects of the Famine. Amid a backdrop
of hunger, disease and death they worked tirelessly to help
the local community, their efforts during the Famine years
later being described as ‘superhuman’ in terms
of the lives they saved.
‘Between 1845 and 1851, thousands died from Famine
and related diseases in Skibbereen,’ explains Eneclann
researcher, Helen Moss. ‘The local community believed
that had it not been for the exertions of these and other
dispensary doctors, apothecaries and their assistants, the
death-toll would have been significantly higher.’
Research Director, Fiona Fitzsimons, continues: ‘Their
obituarists hoped that the people of the locality would not
forget the good works of these doctors, and so we felt it
was fitting to commemorate the lives of both these individuals
as part of the Famine commemorations that take place in Skibbereen
in May 2009.’
The story of the two doctors can be found online at: http://www.eneclann.ie/research/famine_skibbereen.html
5% Donation to Gorta from CD sales during Famine
As well as considering the events of the past, the team at
Eneclann wanted to do something to help present day famine
victims too. ‘Unfortunately today many people across
the globe are still suffering from hunger,’ commented
Rachel Murphy, Marketing Manager at Eneclann. ‘So the
Eneclann team have decided that we would like to donate 5%
of our CD sales to Gorta (the Freedom From Hunger Council
of Ireland) during the Famine Memorial Week.’
Eneclann publishes CDs of historical interest which may be
purchased from their online shop: www.eneclann.ie/shop.
The company will donate 5% of the value of CDs sold between
Sunday 10th and Sunday 17th May 2009 to Gorta.
Chairperson of the Skibbereen branch of Gorta, Pauline O’Sullivan,
commented: ‘I am happy to be associated with the launch
and delighted to receive additional funds for Gorta.’
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EDITORS NOTES
Eneclann
Eneclann (www.eneclann.ie)
is an award-winning Trinity College Campus Company, founded
in 1998 by Brian Donovan and Fiona Fitzsimons. The company
offers a wide range of history and heritage services through
its three divisions: publications and digitisation, historical
research, and archives and records management.
GORTA - The Freedom from Hunger Council of Ireland
Gorta is Ireland’s longest established overseas aid
agency and has been tackling the issues of food security throughout
the developing world with the support of tens of thousands
of donors nationally since 1965. Gorta’s name, meaning
“famine”, acknowledges its close association with
extreme hunger, both historically in Ireland, and where it
exists around the world today.
Gorta’s mission is to work for a world free from the
injustices of chronic hunger, poverty and disease, having
special regard for the plight of children and the empowerment
of women. Gorta establishes partnerships with local communities,
and supports local leadership to ensure their needs are met
in a sustainable way.
Programmes and projects supported by Gorta are located predominantly
in Sub-Saharan Africa where the need is greatest. Their objective
is to help people become self-sufficient in food production
and income generation thereby creating a secure future for
generations to come.
Gorta supports agricultural activities including livestock
rearing, irrigation schemes and other water-based projects.
The support of education, healthcare initiatives and income
generating activities also forms part of Gorta’s work.
Since its inception, Gorta has channelled the contributions
of Irish people to over 2,000 projects in the developing world.
National Famine Memorial Week 2009
There is a full week of Famine-related events running from
10 to 17 May, most of which are free of charge. For full details
please download the programme from www.skibbheritage.com
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