National Famine Commemoration in Cork

This year’s National Famine Commemoration will take place on Saturday May 12 at University College Cork (UCC).  The event will be hosted by UCC in collaboration with Cork City Council.

President Michael D. Higgins and Tánaiste Simon Coveney will attend the State Ceremony on Saturday week as will ambassadors. The President will unveil a plague to commemorate local famine victims. There will also be a wreath laying the following day, Sunday May 13 at St Joseph’s cemetery in Ballyphehane.

As part of the 2018 commemoration The Great Irish Famine Online will be launched. This is a world class free digital resource which will provide detailed information on how the famine impacted upon each of the 3,000 parishes and 1600 towns on either side of the border.

Cork City Council have also organised a programme of surrounding events through Cork City Libraries, Cork Public Museum and Cork City Councils Heritage office.

Lord Mayor Cllr Tony Fitzgerald said: “We are honoured that this year’s National Famine Commemoration will be held in Cork as in recent years the National Famine Commemoration has been held in such historic sites as Glasnevin Cemetery. Cork City Council has organised a strong programme of surrounding events and I am certain that the City will come together to produce a fitting tribute to those who suffered during the Famine”.

Cork City Council Programme of Events:

May 1–Monday May 14 –“Famine in Cork” an online exhibition available on www.corkpastandpresent.ie May 1 – Monday  May 14 – Famine Exhibition in the Cork City Library featuring extracts from Cork Constitution, Cork Examiner and Illustrated London News from 1845 to 1850 with supporting exhibitions at all of the city’s six local libraries.

 May 1 – Monday, May 14 – Famine Exhibition at the Cork Public Museum Sunday May 6 @ 2pm - Walking Tour of St Finbarr’s Hospital by Cllr Kieran McCarthy.

Monday May 7 @ 7pm - Walking Tour of St Joseph’s Cemetery by Ronnie Herlihy. Tuesday  May 8 @ 7pm - Talk on the Famine in Cork by Pat Gunn at the Central Library

Check www.corkcitylibraries.ie and www.corkpastandpresent.ie  for details of the exhibitions at the City Library and six local libraries.