A New Famine: Starving for Culture in Modern Ireland
Ireland was once a land of abundant culture, where every field hummed with stories, and each hand crafted something beautiful from the earth. But today, in the shadow of modern convenience and pop culture, something profound has been lost. We may feast on abundance, yet we hunger for the soul of a nation that once thrived on its rich traditions.
I introduce my latest piece—a fusion of sculpture and poetry—that reflects this shift in Ireland’s journey. From a time of cultural craftsmanship and pride in our hands, to a world where we feast on the surface but starve for something deeper.
🌿 The living wood base, etched with Celtic symbols, embodies the heritage of our land—a reminder of what once was.
🛠️ The hollow metal bust, forged from cold steel washers, represents the void left by industry. Once, our hands brought warmth to the world, but now they feel the chill of a modern age where meaning is slipping away.
“Hollow Hunger”
We were once the heartbeat of the land,
With music and stories, and work in our hands,
The soil was hard, the winters long,
But our hearts were full, our culture strong.
Now the tables are heavy, the plates piled high,
But the songs are fading, and the old ways die.
We feast on plenty, but hunger remains,
For the spirit we’ve lost in comfort’s chains.
Once we danced with the wind in the fields,
Our stories were treasure, no gold could yield,
But the voices now silent, the fires burned low,
And the hunger for meaning begins to grow.
For we are starving, though no one sees,
Not for bread, but for roots, for trees,
For the hands that shaped both land and lore,
Now idle, now still, now reaching no more.
Our ancestors bled in famine’s grip,
But held their stories with a fierce grip,
They left us wealth no coin could measure,
But we traded it all for fleeting pleasure.
Now the land is green, but the soul runs dry,
And we wonder where, and we wonder why,
The hunger persists, though the harvest is near,
We starve for the culture we once held dear.
Oh, to touch the earth, to sing the old songs,
To remember the place where we truly belong,
But we stand in silence, our hearts torn wide,
Starving for stories, for spirit, for pride.
By Ashley Curran
As I reflect on this journey, I see that we are not just a country recovering from famine—we are now in a famine of culture. Pop culture has swept across Ireland like a wave, washing away much of what was once sacred, leaving us full in material goods but empty in spirit.
📝 What resonates with you from this piece? Does it stir any thoughts about our connection to heritage and modern life?
💬 Share your reflections in the comments and spread the conversation—if this speaks to you, pass it along.
A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported me in this artistic journey. Keep your eyes peeled for new projects that continue to explore our cultural legacy.