"Famine Times" In the Autumn of 1846 and again in 47 a blight came on the entire potato crop of Ireland thus causing the dreadful famine. The year is spoken of to day as "Black 47". The potatoes rotted in the pits. What misery must it have been, for in those days the people lived solely on potatoes. Here and there at Government depots people were provided with a very small amount of maize or Indian meal. The Government made a relief plan to provide work for the destitute. They built bridges and other monuments. In this locality a short distance from Maynooth can be seen a mighty tower it is known as the Obelisk. It was built during that disastrous period. This was told to me by my father. Thomas Cox. Station Road Leixlip 17th October 1938.Sharon McG