Remarks by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at the National Famine Commemoration, Clones, Co. Monaghan on 10th September 2011
Is onóir mhór domsa bheith anseo inniu thar ceann an Rialtais don chomóradh Stáit seo ar ócáid Chuimhneachán Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir 2011 agus fearaim fíor-chaoin fáilte romhaibh uile.
We are honoured that this very important national commemoration takes place in the presence of the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese and her husband, Senator Martin McAleese. I would like to particularly thank, on behalf of the Government, the many members of the Diplomatic Corps in attendance here today. I would also like to especially welcome everyone who has travelled from Northern Ireland to share in this very special occasion, particularly Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, and the Members of the Legislative Assembly present today.
No other event in our history can be likened to the Great Famine, either for its immediate, tragic impact, or its legacy of emigration, cultural loss and decline of the Irish language. The population of Ireland, which was close to 8.5 million in 1845, fell to 6.6 million by 1851.
In the past, the devastating impact of the famine on Ulster has not always been recognised. However, the Clones Poor Law Union was among the worst affected areas in Ulster during this catastrophic time. The horror of famine conditions in the Clones Poor Law Union was widely reported and we will hear an extract from such an account shortly.
It is especially fitting that this year’s National Famine Commemoration is taking place here in The Diamond, Clones. The Market House, which will be the focus of much of today’s ceremony, became a place of refuge and solace for many as it housed a soup kitchen to feed and nourish those weary from starvation.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the participants in today’s ceremony and to everyone whose commitment has ensured that the catastrophic events of An Gorta Mór are being so appropriately remembered here today. I understand that the local programme of famine related events held during the past two weeks has been extremely successful and I congratulate all involved. I also pay tribute to the local organising committees, to Clones Community Forum, to the Clones Town Council and to Monaghan County Council for their involvement.
Finally, I must acknowledge and thank the members of the National Famine Commemoration Committee and especially to my predecessors as Chairman, Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D. and Mr Pat Carey, for their work in developing the concept of an annual National Famine Commemoration.
ENDS.
