merrion street

Today (Sunday 25/08/13), Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee attended the International Famine Commemoration in Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney, Australia. This is the 5th International Famine Commemoration. Previous events took place in Boston, New York, Liverpool and Canada.

The event in Hyde Park Barracks took place at the Australian Monument to the Great Irish Famine which honours the memory of the many people who died or were forced to emigrate during the famine. The monument was inspired by the arrival in Australia of over 4,000 single young women, many of whom were teenaged orphans. They arrived under a special emigration scheme designed to resettle destitute girls from the workhouses of Ireland during the Great Famine. These young women were from the workhouses throughout all 32 counties Ireland and many of the descendants of the girls were present at today's ceremony.

The event today followed a week long programme of events commemorating the famine in Sydney including the launch in Australia of the Atlas of the Great Irish Famine and a seminar on the famine attended by leading historians.

Minister Deenihan said:

"We are here today to commemorate the victims of the Great Irish Famine but also to celebrate the lives that those who emigrated forged in this city and across Australia and the enduring links between our communities which live on today. Through the orphan girls and others who emigrated during this time, the famine forms not just part of Ireland's history but also part of Australia's historical narrative. Through this unique bond – our countries are intertwined. It is important that in this year of The Gathering that their stories are not forgotten".

He continued "A key aim of today's Commemoration and of the National Famine Commemoration Committee which I chair is also to raise awareness of famine issues all over the world. The legacy of the famine in Ireland includes a deep compassion felt by Irish people for those who suffer from hunger in today’s world and a very strong commitment to humanitarian aid and relief. Ireland’s historical experience of Hunger underlies the Irish Government’s strong commitment to tackling global hunger - at its roots and on a long-term basis - by poverty reduction, but also by providing rapid emergency assistance to countries suffering the effects of famine".

Note to Editor

The annual National Famine Commemoration revolves between the four provinces of Ireland. The 2013 National Famine Commemoration took place on 12th May 2013 in Kilrush Co. Clare. President Michael D. Higgins led the official representation. The 2014 event will take place at a location in Connacht.

In previous years, the International Famine Commemoration has taken place in the following locations:

Year Location

2009 Toronto

2010 New York

2011 Liverpool

2012 Boston

The National Famine Commemoration Committee works with the Irish embassies and consular services to plan for the overseas event. This is done in conjunction with local committees where practical.

For further details on these events and other information on the National Famine Commemoration Committee please go to www.irishfamine.ie