Famine Family (1998) by James McKenna is a powerful memorial sculpture located at the former Athy Workhouse, now St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy. First exhibited at the Gerard Manley Hopkins Festival in 1998, the work was later installed on the historic site. Carved from 4,000-year-old black oak and standing approximately eight feet high, the sculpture depicts a family enduring the hardships of famine. Through its monumental scale and expressive figurative form, the work serves as a poignant reminder of one of the most significant and tragic periods in Irish history. Through its setting, material and subject matter, Famine Family creates a moving connection between the history of Athy and the wider legacy of the Great Irish Famine, encouraging reflection on resilience, memory and compassion. James McKenna (1933–2000) was one of Ireland’s leading figurative sculptors, renowned for creating ambitious works that combined artistic excellence with a strong sense of social and historical engagement. A founder member of the Independent Artists group and later the Sculptors’ Society of Ireland, he believed deeply in the power of art to communicate shared human experiences.
Famine Family by James McKenna, Athy, 1998
