National Famine Commemoration Day facts for kids

The National Famine Commemoration Day (Irish: Lá Cuimhneacháin Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir) is a special day in Ireland. It happens every year to remember the Great Famine. This was a very sad time in Irish history.

A week of events leads up to this day, which is usually a Sunday in May. The Irish government has officially organized it since May 6, 2008. The main event takes place in a different part of Ireland each year, moving between the four provinces. There is also an event held in another country, in a place important to Irish people living abroad.

During the main event, there are talks, art shows, and visits to places connected to the Famine. The government also encourages local communities to hold their own events. They suggest a minute's silence on the day, or on the Friday before for schools and workplaces.

History of the Commemoration Day

Remembering the Great Famine

The Great Famine happened from 1845 to about 1850. The year 1847 was known as "Black '47" because it was the worst year. In 1994, the government set up a group to help fund events and projects to remember the Famine's 150th anniversary. This group worked until 2000.

Early Commemoration Efforts

Since 1987, people in County Mayo have held an annual "Famine Walk." It goes from Louisburgh to Doolough and remembers the Doolough Tragedy of March 30–31, 1849.

From 2004, a group called the Committee for the Commemoration of the Irish Famine Victims (CCIFV) started an annual event in Dublin each May. People dressed as starving peasants would walk from the Garden of Remembrance to the famine memorial sculptures near the Custom House.

The CCIFV asked the government to officially recognize a Famine commemoration day. They received support from many politicians. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who was Ireland's leader at the time, answered questions about the CCIFV and remembering the Famine.

Official Recognition

In 2005, Bertie Ahern was not sure about having a special national day for the Famine. He thought it might be better to have one memorial for all major historical events, like the 1798 Rebellion or the Land War. By 2006, his department was looking into ideas for Famine commemoration. In 2007, he was "positively disposed" to creating a memorial day.

That year, the CCIFV walk received some official attention. Ministers hosted receptions for the event. In 2008, the government announced that the state would organize an annual commemoration. This was called "the first National Famine Commemoration Day."

The National Famine Commemoration Committee

In July 2008, Éamon Ó Cuív, a government minister, created the National Famine Commemoration Committee. Their main goal was to decide the best way to hold future national commemorations of the Great Famine. The committee also wanted to explore themes like Irish people moving to other countries, the loss of culture, the decline of the Irish language, and Ireland's commitment to humanitarian aid.

This committee now suggests where the commemorations should be held each year. They work with local groups to organize the event. The event moves around to each of Ireland's provinces. For example, in 2011, it was in Clones, County Monaghan, and in 2015, it was in Newry, County Armagh.

Debate on the Date

In December 2016, a political party called Sinn Féin suggested a new law to make the commemoration happen on the second Sunday of every May. Peadar Tóibín, a politician, said it was "shocking" that people didn't know when the Famine day would take place each year. Another politician, Colm Brophy of Fine Gael, introduced a similar idea in January 2017.

Where the Commemoration Has Been Held

See also

• National Day of Commemoration

Images for kids

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  Famine memorial in Dublin, where a walk ends