THERE HAS been a major response to RTÉ's new documentary on the Great Hunger.
Last night, RTÉ aired the first part of the eagerly anticipated documentary, titled 'The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine', and it left viewers hugely impressed.
The new documentary is narrated by Liam Neeson, and cleverly combines illustrations of the country at the time with modern-day images of Ireland, along with quotes from people affected by the catastrophe and analysis from historians.
The documentary did not shy away from the disturbing, horrific and sadly preventable reality of the damage done to Ireland during the Great Famine, where one million people died and one million more emigrated, a catastrophe which the country has still not come back from in terms of population alone.
SDLP MLA Justin McNulty took to Twitter following the first part of the documentary writing: "Liam Neeson's narration of the Story of the Irish Famine coupled with the emotive and evocative imagery makes [The Hunger] enthralling and disturbing viewing."
Liam Neeson’s narration of the Story of The Irish Famine coupled with the emotive and evocative imagery makes #TheHunger enthralling and disturbing viewing. pic.twitter.com/JaQHkOIGia
— Justin McNulty (@JustinMcNu1ty) November 30, 2020
Others stated the documentary was "very well done" but admitted it was a "tough watch", while former Social Democrats TD Ruth Coppinger said it "shows the reality of the pursuit of profit being put ahead of people's needs".
One woman encouraged people to watch the devastating documentary, stating it was "stunning and shocking even though we all think we know the story".
If you didn’t watch #thehunger on @RTEOne, I strongly suggest you watch it back. Stunning & shocking even though we all think we know the story. The story of the Irish Famine
— Barbara Scully (@barbarascully) November 30, 2020
The Hunger also revealed the solidarity shown to the Irish people from around the world, with donations flooding in from other countries, including, famously, from the Choctaw tribe in the United States, who raised $800 despite their own suffering at the time.
The second and final part of 'The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine' will air on RTÉ One on 7 December at 9.35pm.
If you missed it, you can catch the first part on RTÉ Player (here).
