This may be a bit off base for this site but I feel it is important and needs further looking into. First, I would like to thank Frank for the recommendation of "Famine In Muskerry." I am also planning to purchase it even though I have read much about it, in general, not just pertaining to Cork. Second, I would like to inform the USA readers of this site to look in their State Board of Education agenda to see what is written on the teaching of the "Great Famine" in our school systems. I can only refer to the State of CT. but it was approved May 14, 1997 that the "Holocaust education and awareness and the HISTORICAL EVENTS SURROUNDING THE GREAT FAMINE IN IRELAND" be included in our education. Each year I usually take a personal "goal". Last year it was to help start Irish History Class' and Irish Language Class (open to the public). Both were successful and still ongoing. This year it is to have the CT. State Board of Education explain exactly what is included in this act. It is VERY vague as it is stated in the CT public act. How many hours, what is included, is it taught by persons qualified to teach this subject (or by a teacher who has no interest but to do what is required). I plan to pursue this come January and if I get unsatisfactory answers.....heaven help them. LOL. Then there's no end to me. So....for those of you who are interested....it's just a phone call/email away to see if your state has something similar, and to what extent. I believe that the devastation of Ireland and truth needs to be brought forth. We know more about how many pubs are on each corner in Ireland then we do on the destruction of the Irish people during the Famine years. SAD! PLEASE do not take what I am about to say wrong. The Jewish Holocaust was very well produced in the movie for education and TRUTH of what happened (thank you S.S). We read about it quite frequently in newspapers, articles, TV and many other ways. SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE IRISH FAMINE. Didn't Ireland experience their own holocaust (dictionary-holocaust-a mass slaughter of people). Wouldn't it be grand if someone produced the Irish Famine half as well. So this is the challenge to you......contact your Board of Education and just question them.Now that I brought this to your attention, If you don't do it.....who will? Maybe you will be more enticed after reading Frank's book suggestion. MARY THOMAS <coloknight@verizon.net> wrote: Last night, I happened across a program called Moments in Time that covers different historical events. This one happened to be the Irish Famine and I wish I'd seen all of it. Out of ignorance, I always thought the Irish left to escape the famine. I had no idea that they were actually forced out in many cases. I didn't know about the deadly marches from the rural areas to the ports and I didn't know that the British yanked the Irish out of their homes, destroying the house so that they couldn't return to it. I knew about workhouses but not that they were, for all intents and purposes, a means to work the Irish like slaves in exchange for watery soup. I didn't know about the pestilance and disease that workhouses fostered and how many Irish men, women, and children died there. When I learned that a million had died and another million had been forced by the need to survive to seek a new life away from Ireland, it gave me a whole new view of my ancestors. I'd been wondering why only the two brothers came to the States. Now I know that it's possible they were the only survivors of their family. I've always been proud of my Irish heritage but never as much as I feel now. Those two brothers created a legacy that they probably never realized they had...pride in their courage, pride in their strength, pride in the fact that I carry their name, pride in knowing that I...and the rest of you on this list...are making certain that they won't be forgotten. Okay. Sunday sermon's over. Just had to put it out there. Chris 2nd great granddaughter of Patrick Sullivan 2nd great grandniece of Jeremiah Sullivan ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CORK-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message