
Background and Rationale:
The purpose of this unit is to
relate the horrific experience of the Famine Ships and the disparate flight from Ireland. This unit is designed for American Studies grades
ten to twelve
, complete with resources and activities.
Why
study Famine Ships? Human nature allows people to remember good things. The
Mullin Family oral history describes these voyages as "Love Boats."
However, for a considerable number of Famine Irish, intolerable conditions and
even death from disease awaited them on-board. And, their stories need to be
remembered.
Components
of this unit are: