Kilkenny Famine victims are helping to unveil even more secrets from the past

The latest findings from research on remains of Kilkenny Famine victims was presented as part of Heritage Week.

Dr Jonny Geber returned to MacDonagh Junction, the site of the former Kilkenny Union Workhouse, from the University of Otago in New Zealand, to share his most recent fascinating findings.

Phd student Lauren Meckel (below) accompanied Dr Gerber to present her on-going research.

Dr Geber, who is a biological anthropologist has spent more than 10 years researching the experience of poverty and social marginalisation in 19th century Kilkenny, through the study of the remains.

At his Heritage Week talk Dr Gerber was able to address some folk myths from history and show that Irish people were of the same average height as people in the UK.

He has also studied the Famine-era bones to show that the Irish were no more violent than their UK counterparts. Both groups showed 'fight' injuries, the difference being that the British remains showed evidence of bare fisted 'boxing,' and Irish bones showed injuries from 'shillelagh' fighting sticks.

Marion Acreman, MacDonagh Junction Centre Manager said: “It is phenomenal to think of (Dr Gerber's) work in isolation but we also now have access to the new emerging research of Lauren Meckel, a forensic histologist who is working to narrow the details of these individuals too. We look forward to knowing more about them as their work continues.

“It was our pleasure to host this visit as part of our ongoing commitment to the heritage of our site at MacDonagh Junction and we were delighted with the numbers that arrived to welcome Dr Geber and Lauren Meckel.”