Irish Famine Immigrant Experience on Staten Island

Irish immigrants who survived the Irish Famine embarked on perilous sea journeys, arriving at the Port of New York filled with hope. For many, this destination marked the beginning of a new life in a new land; for others, it was the end of their journey.

Thousands of Irish famine immigrants perished at the Staten Island Marine Hospital and Quarantine Station, currently the location of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and its surroundings. Two cemeteries directly connected with Irish Famine history and immigrants exist on Staten Island.

Presenter: Loretto Leary was born in Portumna, County Galway, and has resided in Connecticut for thirty-two years. She has an extensive background in education, having taught Language Arts in elementary and middle schools across Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, and Stamford.

Loretto's freelance journalism has been featured in several publications, including The Irish Echo, Irish Central, Irish Examiner US, and Australia's Irish Scene. In addition to her journalistic endeavors, Loretto is the Secretary and serves on the Executive Board of Ireland's Great Hunger Museum of Fairfield. She is also the Co-Chair of the CT-Ireland Trade Commission. 

Loretto is embarking on her PhD studies at Trinity College Dublin, focusing on Irish American Famine Memories and the location of the Irish Famine Memorial in New York.