merrion street

Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will this evening (Wednesday 21st November 2012) launch Tim Pat Coogan's latest book

in Glasnevin Cemetery Museum.

The Great Irish Famine remains undoubtedly an emotive and discordant issue in our national psyche and there are many different perspectives. It is clear that there is nothing else in the history of the Irish people that can be likened to the Great Famine, either for its immediate impact, or its legacy of emigration, cultural loss and decline of the Irish language. This book, which gives a fresh and comprehensive account of one of the darkest chapters in world history.

Speaking in advance of the launch, Minister Deenihan said "this publication provides a different perspective in addressing the questions that have tormented many contemporary witnesses to the famine. These questions continue to challenge historians and all those who have a concern with public policy in relation to food entitlements and the basic needs of people in today's world as well as in our recent past."

In recognition of the significance of this devastating period in our history the Government established a National Famine Commemoration Committee to develop appropriate arrangements for an annual commemoration of the Great Irish Famine and to ensure that all those who suffered, perished and emigrated are appropriately remembered.

Since 2008 a National Famine Commemoration has been held in Ireland annually with an overseas commemoration also taking place each year. The date and location of the 2013 National Famine Commemoration, which will take place in the province of Munster, will be announced later this year. Minister Deenihan announced last August that the 2013 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine will take place in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, 25^th August 2013.

"I would like to thank Cormac and Tim Pat for their kind invitation to be here this evening and to the staff of the Glasnevin Museum. Tim Pat, I congratulate you on this great achievement and wish you well with your promotion of this very important publication" Minister Deenihan concluded.