Hard times and a symbol of Irish resilience
13 December 2025
On the seventeenth anniversary of the dedication of the Cross of the Scriptures at the Oregon Potato Famine Memorial, more than 50 Hibernophiles gathered under sunny December skies where Skyline Boulevard meets West Burnside Road in Portland.
The contrast with the weather back on December 13, 2008, was remarkable. On that day, more than 300 frigid souls were on hand for the appearance of the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. Because of a snowstorm the night before and morning of, ceremonies had to be held under a huge tent erected at Mount Calvary Cemetery for the occasion.
An excerpt from the speech President McAleese gave that day at Mount Calvary – one of three speeches on Dec. 13, 2008, all different - still very much applies.
At the time Ireland was the first country in Europe to officially enter recession. The Irish Stock Exchange had peaked at 10,000 points BUT would hit 2,000 in February 2009. Unemployment was just under 7% but soared to 15% by 2012. Thngs weren't much better in Oregon, which was in the process of losing 220,000 jobs to hit an unemployment rate of 12% within a year of the Cross dedication.
The President spoke about the hard times in Winter 2008 and the hard times from 1845 to 1852 in Ireland. She spoke about the decision of the team that created the Memorial and commissioned the High Cross to use a symbol of resilience rather than despair.
I suppose it would have been easier making the famine memorial here if you did what so many other places had done, showing figures of great sorrow who would draw our pathos and compassion.
Famine Memorial along the River Liffey in Dublin.
But this (Memorial), I think, draws this moment in a different mood. It draws our pride. It draws our respect. It draws our admiration for the faith and resilience of Famine emigrants.
And in these particular times that we are heading into, know that every generation deals with some Crosses. This (economic conditions) is our own form of crucifixion (with) its own form of challenge.
We head into quite difficult times now, both here in Oregon and back home in Ireland. Having gone through good times, now, because of the bubble of financial instability and difficulties, many people have a sense of foreboding.
When we unveil that Cross, I think we see from our cold toes upward that lovely sense of faith and hope and determination that brought so many people here with nothing; with absolutely nothing except the breath in their bodies, the strength in their hands and the faith in their hearts.
And please God we leave the cemetery today full of determination that whatever we face, we find the same dignity, the same faith, the same determination and the same success. Because in you, every one of you, is written their success. This is an occasion of real joy. In gathering here, we remember what happened when people face into the future with all its uncertainty with the great gift of faith in God and one another. God bless you and thank you for the lovely welcome.
