Newest sight in Jersey City's Lincoln Park is 18-foot statue commemorating the victims and survivors of Great Irish Famine; dedication set for May 7

Tuesday, April 19, 2011
By TERRENCE T. McDONALD
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Last week saw a new addition to Lincoln Park: an 18-foot statue commemorating the victims and survivors of the Great Irish Famine.

The monument was conceived of and shepherded into existence by Vince McHale, a trustee and former president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hudson County.

As a lad growing up in Ireland's County Mayo, McHale remembers hearing stories about the famine, which killed around 1 million people and sent 2 million more emigrating from their home country between 1845 and 1852.

The McHale family's 50-acre farm was dotted with foundations of former homes whose residents had been evicted during the famine.

"A lot of them went to America," McHale said, passing along what his mother taught him. "She said the ones who went to America, they never heard from them again."

When McHale, 78, who immigrated from Ireland to Jersey City in 1955, got approval from the Sons of St. Patrick to commission the monument in 2003, he opened a bank account with $1,110 from his family. After more than seven years collecting donations, the account grew to more than $40,000.

Though some people involved in the process wanted the monument made in China to save money, McHale convinced them to have it built in Barry, Vt.

"The people of New Jersey and the United Stated are donating this, and I want the money spent in the United States," he remembers telling them.

The monument was erected last week, but the official dedication is scheduled for May 7 after a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Aloysius Church, 691 West Side Ave.

Drew University Professor Christine Kinealy, a famine expert, is scheduled to speak.