THIS IS THE BROKEN HEART MEMORIAL

THIS IS THE BROKEN HEART MEMORIAL

Maria Pizzuti is from Rome and as an artist she has worked in many different media. One of her better known sculptures is a large panel-beaten bronze piece, entitled An Croi Briste, is in situ as a famine memorial on Lower Mallow Street (near Steamboat Quay) on the Shannon River in Limerick city. I do not know why, at the site, it is entitled “Broken Heart” rather than “An Croi Briste”. Maybe there is a plaque in Irish that I failed to notice.

In the past I have complained about the condition of this monument and the lack of water in what was supposed to be a water feature. Somebody has made some attempt to tidy it up but the addition of large flowerpots was not a good idea and in my opinion they should be removed soon rather than later. It would appear that adding baskets or pots of flowers is a default solution by the city council in Limerick.


MEMORIAL TO THE VICTIMS OF THE GREAT FAMINE
(1845-1849)

“Memorial to the victims of the great famine (1845-1849) commissioned by Gerry Barrett (Edward Holdings, Galway). This memorial is to commemorate the thousands of people who used this site as a holding station in the famine of 1845 to 1849 prior to emigration to the new world never to return.

The memorial was designed by Ms. Marie Pizzuti and unveiled by his worship The Mayor, Councillor K. O’Hanlon on 21st May 1907.”