Advise on Irish in Australia

Hello Finnegan Family.  Your message was forwarded to me as I had an interest in a family from Galway (since proven not to be so) but I thank you for your message about the Australian Monument to the Great Irish Famine.

I will admit my ignorance to the site as none of my family came through Sydney (as far as I know) so I Googled it.

https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/exhibitions/australian-monument-great-irish-famine is a fascinating site which seems to run several historic houses and museums.

The Head Office 

The Mint
10 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

T 02 8239 2288
F 02 8239 2299
E info@slm.com.au
TTY 02 8239 2377

I trust that the information above will help many Irish to follow the Irish Famine victims who came to Australia.

Kathy

Hi Finnegan Family.  Yes the memorial at Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney is very special, especially as my forebear's name, Bridget NAUGHTON , as are her two sisters' names . My own daughter was one of the Irish Dancers who performed at the opening ceremony  - quite poignant I think. 

Good luck with your research, Suzanne RYAN

My gg grandmother Bridget Plunkett was an Irish orphan from Galway who came to Australia on the Thomas Arbuthnot in 1850, her sister Catherine arrived a year earlier. There are a large number of Australians who are descendants of orphans of what was known as the Earl Grey scheme which brought out young women and girls orphaned in the famine years. They had previously been housed in workhouses and were given the option of emigration, quite courageous choices were made by these young people who had been through such loss. 
There is an event held each year at Hyde Park Barracks where they were temporarily housed until they found employment and where the memorial is located.

Some details of Bridget's life have been posted on Ireland XO.

Sue McCarthy 

Sydney