The National Famine Museum: Strokestown Park

The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park is a powerful testament to the impact and legacy of the Great Famine. The exhibition tells the story of the Famine through the lens of the Strokestown estate archive, which contains 55,000 documents. 

The visitor experience is designed to explore the parallel lives of the aristocratic landlords and tenants during the Famine period, using evocative illustrations, historic imagery, and AV to immerse visitors in the past. The exhibition features large-scale illustrations that add to the atmosphere and help visitors connect with the people of the time.

Visitors can also explore a carefully curated selection of artefacts and documents from the archive, as well as soundscapes, touchscreens, and projections that provide a deeper understanding of the Famine. Throughout the exhibition, the design choices are guided by the interpretive rationale for the entire estate, ensuring a coherent and compelling narrative.

The National Famine Museum does not shy away from the difficult content of the Famine, but instead reveals the variety of experiences through people’s own words and stories. It is a powerful reminder of the impact of this tragic period in history and the resilience of the human spirit.