The Untold Gift – Turkey’s Famine Aid and a Tribute in Steel and Copper
In the mid-19th century, Ireland endured one of the darkest periods in its history: the Great Hunger. As millions of Irish citizens faced starvation and despair, the world watched. And yet, few came to Ireland’s aid. One of the remarkable exceptions was the Ottoman Sultan, Khaleefah Abdul-Majid I, who expressed deep compassion and solidarity with the people of Ireland. Despite political pressures and attempts to restrict aid, he found a way to ensure his support reached Irish shores, leaving a legacy of generosity that echoes to this day.
Sultan Abdul-Majid initially pledged a significant sum of £10,000 to assist Ireland, but Queen Victoria, having contributed only £2,000 herself, requested he reduce his donation to £1,000 to avoid outshining her contribution. Respecting her request publicly, the Sultan quietly and resolutely sent five ships laden with food. The ships managed to slip past English blockades and dock in Drogheda, where Turkish sailors unloaded their cargo to nourish the starving Irish, symbolizing a compassionate defiance against political barriers. The original £10,000 donation—nearly £800,000 in today’s value—represented a vast contribution from a faraway land and became a symbol of international compassion in Ireland’s struggle.
In tribute to this powerful story, 'The Crescent’s Aid, Harbour of Hope' has emerged as a sculptural homage to this historical act of kindness. Constructed with deliberate symbolism, the sculpture captures the endurance and hope that this moment in history represents. The boat, forged from strong steel bars, represents the unyielding resolve of the Ottoman ships that braved turbulent waters and political obstacles alike. The sail, ingeniously crafted from the knife coulter of an old horse-drawn plough, connects to the Starry Plough—a beacon often used in navigation and Irish lore—as well as Ireland’s agricultural identity, which was so tragically impacted during the famine years.
From the stern rises a crescent moon and star, skillfully crafted in copper wire to honor the Turkish Ottoman flag—a mark of the Sultan’s emblem and symbol of his unwavering support. At the bow, a figure crafted in copper wire gazes forward through a telescope, embodying both foresight and hope for a brighter future, even amidst suffering and oppression.
The sculpture rests on a circular base of welded washers with a spiral of chain at its center. The spiral, one of Ireland’s oldest symbols, speaks to the theme of water and eternal cycles, reflecting the flow of compassion across continents and the indelible mark left by this benevolent act on the Irish heart.
'The Crescent’s Aid, Harbour of Hope' underscores the importance of recognizing acts of kindness across cultures and continents. It honours the strength of the Irish spirit and the unbreakable ties that bind humanity in times of need. This sculpture stands as a reminder of a chapter in history where the Ottoman Empire and Ireland were united, bridging the physical distance between them with the simple yet profound act of empathy.
In this piece, the timeless qualities of compassion and resilience meet in a moment of artistic remembrance. May it serve as both a celebration of enduring cultural bonds and a call to remember that even in the darkest times, kindness finds a way.
Made with Love and Thought by Ashley Curran.
