CDIAA Famine Garden

The Capital District Irish American Association property features a "Famine Garden" to commemorate a potato blight on the island of Ireland that led to disease, mass starvation and unprecedented emigration between 1845 and 1852. During that time, an estimated 1 million people died and more than 1 million more emigrated from Ireland, cutting its population by more than 25 percent.

The highlight of the Garden, at its center, is an engraved granite 5 foot high Celtic Cross. Stones from the four Provinces in Ireland are at the base. These stones are surrounded by memorial bricks, flowering plants and shrubbery. Benches are placed along the perimeter to provide a place for quiet thought and peaceful mediation. 

The garden was the pet project of one of our members, Rosemary O'Brien, who sadly passed away in October of 2013.  Rosemary worked tirelessly to raise money to bring the garden to fruition. 

Here is an article from the Albany Times Union about Rosemary and the Famine Garden.

The 2025 Famine Garden Benefit is planned for Sunday, September 14. 

If you would like to contribute, you can donate via the PayPal link below.