The Voyager’s aim is to tell the story of the darkest time in Ireland’s history and show the significance of the effects the Famine had on the Irish population during the years 1845 to 1852, and the ramifications it had worldwide, especially on American history and culture.
Walking through the bar, you will be met with artwork with brief descriptions to articles, providing a timeline of events. Installations explaining what the famine was and the effects it had on our population, to the stories and interesting facts of Irish who made the arduous trip to The New World and played a pivotal role in American history and politics, even matters as significant as the presidency.
Did you know that of the 46 men who have served as President of the United States, 23 can trace their roots to our small island. From Andrew Jackson (7th President) born only two years after his parents emigrated from Antrim, to Joe Biden (46th President) who can trace his ancestry back to counties Louth and Mayo, the Irish diaspora has had significant imapct in terms of politics across the Atlantic.
Furthermore, boasting 9 Irish descendants (three born in Ireland), as signatories of the Declaration of Independence, and no fewer than four of America’s Founding Fathers.
On the 1st of January 1892, Annie Moore stepped onto Ellis Island… and into history. She was the first of 12 million immigrants to arrive on the island. Annie’s story has been celebrated in art, story, and song and has become a symbol of those coming to America in search of a better life. Annie is honoured by two statues, one standing at her port of departure, Cobh (formerly Queenstown) and another at arrival point in Ellis Island.
The Irish had a significant impact on the building of America, both literally and figuratively. The Irish workforce was imperative in the physical construction of American infastructure but also in the development of revolutionary ideas that would change every sector of American business and culture.
From Henry Ford, who developed the assembly line technique of mass production, to John B. McDonald who was contractor of New Yorks Subway system to another Irish McDonald family, who changed the food industry globally, the Irish influence can be seen widespread through all sectors. Even the building where the president sits, of which 23 where of Irish descent, was designed by Irishman James Hoban.
