Famine-era tea urn makes its way back home to Skibbereen in West Cork

A silver samovar, resembling an elaborate tea-pot, which was presented to a Skibbereen doctor for his heroic work during the Great Famine, has made its way back home to the town.

The tea urn had been missing for 165 years, but has now been returned to Skibbereen, courtesy of the generosity of a Canadian donor whose parents were given it as a wedding present.

The silver samovar was presented to famine hero Dr Dan Donovan in 1859 by the people of Skibbereen in recognition of his efforts during the horrific time in Irish history which saw the town's population devasted by the failure of the potato crop.

Like many other aid-workers during the Famine, Dr Dan suffered from ‘the fever’ and his health was subsequently compromised. He never fully recovered from his illness, having risked his life on a daily basis as a medical doctor, helping the people of Skibbereen as they struggled through famine and disease.

The donor from Ontario in Canada, Brenda Ratkay, made contact with the Skibbereen Heritage Centre last year in relation to the artefact, which was given to her parents to mark their marriage.

It is not known how the silver pot made its way to Canada, but Ms Ratkay said she was “honoured to send it home”.

Dr Donovan saved many lives during the great famine times in Skibbereen and the samovar is now on dislay at the centre, which is also a famine heritage museum.

Dr Dan's accounts of the famine in the Skibbereen area, published in contemporary press and medical journals, brought international reporters to the town.

Dr Donovan is well known due to Marita Conlon-McKenna’s book “The Hungry Road” which is based on his accounts of the famine in the area.

His work is also commemorated in the famine story exhibition at Skibbereen Heritage Centre, where the artefact has now found its permanent home in a specially-designed display case.

The Mayor of the County of Cork Mary Linehan Foley said she was delighted to see the precious artefact returned to West Cork.

“Skibbereen Heritage Centre is owned and operated by Cork County Council and serves as an invaluable resource where groups and individuals can browse on their own or enjoy expert guided tours of the famine exhibition," 

she said at an event last Friday.

“Skibbereen is the most important and significant town in Ireland in terms of its famine heritage and the samovar is a wonderful addition to their offering, where a writing slope given by Dr Dan to another famine hero is already on display, on loan.” 

The new exhibition at Skibbereen Heritage Centre also features an artefact once owned by another famine era doctor, Stephen Sweetnam of Schull.

His ‘apothecary scales’ were donated by the family of Dr Larry O’Connor of Schull in his memory.