Westport house to launch new exhibition on the great famine
US Ambassador Kevin O’Malley will be at Westport House on April 14 to open a brand new exhibition about the Browne family's and the house’s efforts during the Great Famine.
The exhibition will tell - through a series of letters written by Lady Sligo - of the family’s contribution to helping the people of Westport and Mayo during a time of devastation. The letters of Hester Catherine Browne (1800-1878), Second Marchioness of Sligo or Lady Sligo, tell the remarkable story of how her family responded to the catastrophe of the Great Hunger.
Ambassador O’Malley’s paternal grandparents emigrated from Westport approximately 100 years ago. As Westport House is built on the ruins of an O’Malley castle and the Browne family, who own the house, are direct descendants of Grace O’Malley, the notorious Pirate Queen, the Brownes are delighted to welcome the US Ambassador 'home'.
The exhibition was originally compiled by Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute and the Arnold Bernhard Library of Quinnipiac University by Professor Christine Kinealy, director of Ireland’s Great Hunger Institute. The support of the Browne family and the staff at Westport House is gratefully acknowledged.
“We are truly honoured to have crossed paths with Professor Christine Kinealy, without whom the opportunity of this wonderful exhibition making its way all the way to Westport from Ireland's Great Hunger Institute in Quinnipiac University would never have happened,” said Sheelyn Browne, joint managing director of Westport House. “And to have US Ambassador opening the exhibition for us truly is the icing on the cake.”
Sheelyn added: “This exhibition belongs in Westport. It captures a very personal insight into one very privileged generation of the Browne family who, in 1845, were unexpectedly landed with a huge sense of duty. Thankfully, they followed the family motto ‘Suivez Raison’ and did do the right thing. They rolled their beautifully ironed linen sleeves up and did their absolute best to ease the desperate situation in their home town, both practically and financially.”
Entry to the exhibition is included in the admission price to Westport House and grounds. See www.WestportHouse.ie for further details.