03/15/2026
We hope to see you all tomorrow! Please come out and celebrate Saint Patrick and help us to fight hunger. Why do we choose this as our fight? Because the memory of An Gorta Mor -"The Great Hunger" - lives on with everyone of Irish Heritage. This bleak period occurred from 1845 to roughly 1852, when approximately 1million died from starvation and related diseases, and 1.2 million emigrated to escape it's effects, all while enough food to feed the population several times over was being exported by the governing powers. To that end we are happy to announce that every dollar of donations tomorrow goes to fighting hunger, via gifts to organizations such as Solidarity Sandy Springs, Community Assistance Center, and other charitable entities.
The first ever memorial erected in Ireland to those who perished during that terrible time was completed in 1995 by the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America, it's sister organization in Ireland, the Board of Erin, and the Clare City Council. It is located in Ennistymon, in County Clare. The inscription on the panel, under the head of an image of an anguished Mother, was taken from a note pinned to the boy's shirt on February 25, 1848, pleading for his entry to the workhouse. The opposite panel includes the figure of a barefoot boy, about 4 years of age, awaiting entry to that workhouse. Approximately 20,000 people died in the Ennistymon workhouse during the horrible years of 1845-1849.
"There is a little boy named Michael Rice of Lahinch aged about 4 years he is an orphan, his Father having died last year and his Mother expired on last Wednesday night and is now being buried without a coffin!! unless ye make some provision for such. The child in question is now at the workhouse gate expecting to be admitted otherwise he will starve."
Please donate in remembrance of all those who did not survive, and more importantly to make sure no one - especially children - go hungry.
Visit Sandy Springs Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade IrishFest Atlanta Atlanta Irish Dance by Burke Connolly Atlanta GAA Thos. O'Reillys Public House - Sandy Springs Consulate General of Ireland, Atlanta Phoenix School of Irish Arts Metro Atlanta Police Emerald Society Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta Rusty Paul
