Watch: Jeremy Irons gives Oscar-worthy recital of letter sent by Cork man during famine

A powerful recitation was given by a local resident in West Cork today of a letter sent by an Irish man to the Duke Of Wellington during the Great Famine.

Watch: Jeremy Irons gives Oscar-worthy recital of letter sent by Cork man during famine

A powerful recitation was given by a local resident in West Cork today of a letter sent by an Irish man to the Duke Of Wellington during the Great Famine.

That speaker happened to be none other than British actor Jeremy Irons.

Having starred in films such as The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, and the Merchant of Venice, the Oscar-winner displayed his soliloquy skills at Reen Farm today as part of the Coming Home Event / West Cork Garden Trail Celebration Evening.

The actor gave a powerful and poignant reading of the letter sent by local JP, N.M Cummins to the Duke Of Wellington on Christmas Eve 1846.

The letter recounted the astonishing and horrifying conditions by which the people of West Cork were suffering through as The Great Hunger began.

The reading was part of the Coming Home: Art & The Great Hunger exhibition, organised by Uilinn and West Cork Arts Centre.

Artist John Kelly and his wife Christina welcomed the public to the farm for a one-off special event with guided tours and performances.

The content of the letter has even more resonance given the location at where it was being read: the couple has created a fascinating sculptural garden overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at their home, which is the location of the first recorded deaths from An Gorta Mór.

Digital Desk

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Smartwatch with health app. Glowing neon icon on brick wall background Health watch: How much health data is healthy? 
Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future
(C)2024 Disney. Disneyland Paris – Disneyland Hotel Re-Opening Watch: Iconic Disneyland Paris hotel re-opens after two year renovation
ieParenting Logo
Writers ieParenting

Our team of experts are on hand to offer advice and answer your questions here

Your digital cookbook

ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited