merrion street

On Sunday, 12

May 2013, President Michael D. Higgins officiated at the National Famine Commemoration Day event in Kilrush.

The ceremony consisted of a formal State ceremony encompassing military honours and a wreath laying ceremony by Ambassadors to Ireland in remembrance of all those who suffered or perished during the Famine – a record number of representatives from the diplomatic corps attended this year's event. It also featured a programme including music, theatre and poetry which was choreographed by the local community in Kilrush.

Speaking at the national event, Jimmy Deenihan T.D. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee said:

"I am delighted that so many people turned out here today in Kilrush to honour the victims of An Gorta Mór. The presence of President Michael D. Higgins at this year's event shows the level of respect which we have for the victims of this terrible time in our history. Of course it is not only the victims of the past which we honour here today in Kilrush, we should also seek to raise awareness of hunger and food security issues worldwide – this is a key aim of the National Famine Commemoration Committee which I chair. Our experience of famine in the past means that we are pre-disposed towards helping those suffering the effects of hunger".

In previous years the national commemoration has been held in Skibbereen, Co.Cork,

The 2013 International Famine Commemoration will take place on August 25th in Sydney Australia.