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Dr John Harrison
The story of Dr John Harrison is both touching and inspiring. It is the story of an idealistic, generous and devoted Irishman, of a consummate professional doctor, and of selfless service during one of the most tragic social events in European 19th century history - The Great Famine. He is a favourite son of Roscommon.

Historians sometimes debate whether difficult times bring out the best in people, or whether the best people simply respond to the difficult times. It is probable that the indescribably tragic times of the Great Famine in Ireland in the middle of the 19th century allowed a number of already fine human beings to rise up and become heroes.

Irishmen who were trained as doctors were relatively few in Ireland in 1841; the year Dr John Harrison graduated from his medical studies in Edinburgh, Scotland. John’s practice was noted for its eclectic nature, providing medical treatment to residents for fifty years. He was a medical officer for the Old Jail (on Roscommon Town Square) and the Union Workhouse (on Golf Links Rd, Roscommon Town). He also served at Ballyleague dispensary, the local Fever Hospital and operated a private medical practice.

He never differentiated between ‘classes’ or religion in the quality of his medical service and devotion to his patients. It is clear that he was not motivated by financial reward as he was renowned as being difficult to remunerate for his attendances. Nevertheless, he earned a respectable income. As a consequence of being highly skilled, his services were in strong demand.

Roscommon was the hardest hit county during the Great Famine of the 1840s. The epicentre was the workhouse and fever hospital in Roscommon Town. People died daily of fever or starvation at these terrifying institutions. It was Dante’s inferno come to Ireland; Hell on earth.

John would have attended many, many cruel confinements and subsequent deaths. He requisitioned extra funds and championed the hospital and workhouse with the authorities and potential benefactors. The trauma and administrative dysfunction in the community was catastrophic. So many found reason to emigrate from Ireland as had his younger brother, Joseph, in 1854. It would have been so easy for John to have joined Joseph in Victoria, Australia. Joseph was a young mining engineer and quickly prospered on the goldfields of Ballarat. He is the great-grandfather of the author.