Derryvally native Gerry Forde has been influential in saving an important Irish Collection in Connecticut, USA. The Ireland’s Great Hunger Collection was housed in Quinnpiac University’s museum in Hamden, CT however the university recently decided not to re-open the museum and many feared that the collection which tells a story not only at the heart of Irish identity and history, but also American history would be lost. However a solution has been found and the collection is to be transferred to the Gaelic American Club of Fairfield, CT. Gerry who has lived in the USA for 27 years is the current President of the Gaelic American Club.
A carpenter by trade, Gerry is the eldest of five children. He is married to Noreen Regan, a native of Cork and they have two boys Brian (called after Gerry’s father) and Timothy. As a GAC member of over twenty years, Gerry has previously served as the Vice President for two terms. His wife and children are heavily involved in the Club and also in St. Pat’s GAA club. Work and committee commitments keep Gerry busy however he does try hard to get back to Ballybay every other Year.
Gerry and his committee now plan to work with Irish and Irish-American communities to build a new home for the Great Hunger collection, that will not only allow the collection to thrive, but to grow and become a way for their children to understand who they were, who they are, and even who they could be.