Doolough Tragedy facts for kids
The Doolough Tragedy was a sad event that happened in Ireland during the Great Irish Famine. It took place near Doo Lough in southwest County Mayo.
During this time, many people were very hungry and needed help from the government to survive. A large group of starving people was forced to walk a long distance to meet officials who would decide if they could keep receiving food and support. Sadly, the journey was too difficult for many of them, and several people passed away.
Contents
The Story of the Doolough Tragedy
The Inspection at Louisburgh
On Friday, 30 March 1849, two officials arrived in the town of Louisburgh. They worked for the Westport Poor Law Union. Their job was to inspect the people who were getting "outdoor relief." This was a system to give food or aid to poor families.
For some reason, the officials did not do the inspection in Louisburgh. Instead, they traveled to Delphi Lodge, a hunting lodge located about 12 miles (19 kilometres) south in Delphi. They planned to spend the night there.
The Journey to Delphi Lodge
The officials told the people that if they wanted to continue receiving help, they had to appear at Delphi Lodge at 7:00 am the next morning. Hundreds of people had gathered hoping for aid.
Even though many were starving and very weak, they had to make the journey. They walked through the night and early morning to reach the lodge. The weather was cold and stormy, making the long walk extremely hard for people who were already suffering.
The Return Journey
Turned Away Without Help
When the group finally reached Delphi Lodge, the officials gave them bad news. They were told they could not get relief. The officials sent them back to Louisburgh immediately.
A Tragic End
The people had to walk the long distance back home. A letter in a newspaper called The Mayo Constitution reported what happened next. It said that seven people, including women and children, were found on the roadside between Delphi and Louisburgh. They had died near the shores of Doolough lake.
Other reports said that nine or ten more people never made it back to their homes. While some records say about 20 people died, local stories suggest the number might have been much higher, possibly in the hundreds.
How We Remember Them
Monuments and The Famine Walk
Today, people remember this tragedy in special ways. There is a stone cross in the valley to honor the victims. Every year, people participate in a 'Famine Walk' between Louisburgh and Doolough to remember the difficult journey those people made.
There is a monument in the Doolough valley with a message carved into it. It features a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: "How can men feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of their fellow beings?"
