History: a version of the truth

I watched the Irish documentary with Liam Neeson narrating the story about the Irish famine again recently. This two part series was compulsive viewing reminding us of the catastrophic events that changed Ireland forever. As an adult of course I realise there are many reasons that contribute to famine, but as a child I was taught it was because a crop had failed. I was also taught that the famine lasted three years. 1845, 1846, 1847. You know how you have to learn those dates for primary school and they become seared in your memory…
 
This documentary though said it was seven years long. Seven? What? Did I forget this detail? Maybe. It’s a significant detail to overlook….but then this is Irish history and to the victor the spoils. History is very subjective. It is always a version of events that we get. Who benefits from the truth not being told. As I type the Kennedy files are released. Are we ready for it? As Jack Nicholson famously said you can’t handle the truth… it is difficult to learn there was food available but not everyone could have it when they needed it.
 
What would have happened if the local population were allowed to eat the local food that was available at the time? I often wonder this. Provision of access to nourishing food is vital to our survival. It remains one of our goals. Generational memory runs deep. 

​Anne Maher