merrion street

Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee today (Saturday 7^th January, 2012) announced Boston as the location for the 2012 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine.

Minister Deenihan was this morning visiting the Irish Hunger Memorial at Battery Park City, which was created by artist Brian Tolle to raise awareness of the Great Irish Famine and of the challenge to end hunger in our world, when he made the announcement.

He commented "The National Famine Commemoration is taking place in Drogheda this year. Drogheda was the second largest port of departure for over one million people who were forced to emigrate. Some travelled only as far as Britain while others travelled onwards from the UK to North America. Many of these people arrived in Boston, full of hope for a better life. We know from the evidence of Irish heritage in Boston that many settled and prospered in that city. I look forward to working with the community in Boston and in particular the Charitable Irish Society whose 275^th anniversary falls this year, to ensure that the victims of the famine are remembered and respected in a dignified manner".

There have been three international commemorations of the Great Irish Famine to date. These overseas events coincide with the annual National Famine Commemoration, which rotates around the four provinces of Ireland. Previous overseas events have taken place in Canada (2009), New York (2010) and Liverpool (2011).

The 2012 National Famine Commemoration will take place in Drogheda, Co. Louth. The dates for the national and international events will be announced in the coming weeks.