Lost Famine Artefact Returns Home to Skibbereen After 165 Years

A silver samovar presented to Famine hero Dr. Dan Donovan in 1859 has been returned to Skibbereen Heritage Centre by a generous Canadian donor, ending a 165-year journey that took this precious piece of Cork's history across the Atlantic.

The ornate silver samovar, gifted to Dr. Donovan by 150 grateful Skibbereen subscribers "alongside a purse of 100 guineas", recognised his extraordinary efforts during the Great Famine. The artefact was unveiled at an official ceremony on Friday, the 29th of January, attended by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Christopher O'Sullivan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell.

Dr. Dan Donovan saved many thousands of lives during the Great Famine in Skibbereen. His harrowing accounts of the crisis, published in contemporary press and medical journals, brought international reporters to West Cork. The resulting worldwide publicity brought crucial aid to the area, though Dr. Donovan's daily work helping famine victims came at tremendous personal cost to his health.

The 150 subscribers who donated the silver praised Dr. Dan's services during the "horrors of the Famine", writing: "When this town…became the scene of the deepest and most widespread misery…when, at the constant peril of your life…your attention to the cries of the suffering poor was unremitting."

Like many aid workers of the era, Dr. Donovan contracted 'the fever' and never fully recovered. The Freeman's Journal of 2nd October 1877 noted: "His exertions day and night in succouring the poor and afflicted were almost superhuman…Though Dr. Donovan survived the Famine thirty years, he never recovered his superhuman labours and his closing days were those of a confirmed invalid."

Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork:

"Skibbereen Heritage Centre is owned and operated by Cork County Council and serves as an invaluable resource where groups and individuals can browse on their own or enjoy expert guided tours of the Famine Exhibition. Skibbereen is the most important and significant town in Ireland in terms of its Famine heritage and the samovar is a wonderful addition to their offering, where a writing slope given by Dr. Dan to another famine hero is already on display, on loan."

Moira Murrell, Chief Executive of Cork County Council:

"Cork County Council is committed to not only preserving our heritage, but also encouraging tourism across the county and the unveiling of these two new artefacts in Skibbereen Heritage Centre further emphasises this."

The Ontario donor, Brenda Ratkay, made contact with the Heritage Centre last year regarding the artefact, which was given to her parents as a wedding present. It remains unknown how the silver samovar made its way to Canada, but Ms Ratkay said she was "honoured to send it home".

Dr. Dan is now well known due to Marita Conlon-McKenna's book "The Hungry Road", which is based on his accounts of the Famine in the area. His work is commemorated in the Famine Story exhibition at Skibbereen Heritage Centre, where this artefact has now found its permanent home.

The new exhibition also features 'apothecary scales' once owned by another Famine-era doctor, Stephen Sweetnam of Schull. The scales were kindly donated by the family of Dr. Larry O'Connor of Schull in his memory.

Skibbereen Heritage Centre has operated since 2000 and hosts two primary exhibitions on the Great Famine and Lough Hyne. Staff have also transcribed burial registers from Cork County Council burial grounds and published them on an online burial records database. An in-person genealogy consultation service is available at the centre.

The centre is located at the Old Gasworks Building, Upper Bridge Street, Skibbereen. Opening hours vary seasonally: winter (November to March) operates Monday and Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm, off-season (March, April and October) runs Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm, and summer (May to September) opens Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm.