National Famine Commemoration takes place in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford and you can watch it live on RTÉ news channel

An Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD, is today (Sunday 19 May) officiating at the National Famine Commemoration in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford alongside Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD.

The formal State ceremony will feature a keynote address by the Taoiseach, and will include military honours and a wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of all those who died during the Famine. Minister Martin will also address the event.

In addition to the Taoiseach, wreaths will also be laid by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps; and Councillor Colm Murray, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council.

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Music at the event will be provided by local band Streancán and local musicians Dr Conor Ward, Noel Carberry and Meadhbh Carberry, while Amy Rooney Maguire, Emma Mihai and Aaron Ó Míacháín from St Mary’s National School, Edgeworthstown will perform the poem An Píobaire Uillinn. The public ceremony will also be broadcast on the RTÉ News channel and online on rte.ie

An Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “The Great Irish Famine destroyed lives, destroyed families, and destroyed the hopes and dreams of so many.  It was our national tragedy, leaving scars that never fully healed.  Our national trauma, that can never be forgotten.  The tragedy was national, but the lessons are global, and they compel us to honour the memory of the dead, by doing everything we can to prevent similar tragedies elsewhere.

"As we reflect today on the immense suffering and resilience of those who lived and died during the Famine, let us recommit to honour their legacy not simply through remembrance but through action. We must apply the lessons of the Great Irish Famine to our world today, working to alleviate hunger and suffering wherever it exists. ‘An Gorta Mór’ is a tragedy that will never be forgotten.  Our history demands that we do everything we can to make sure it is never repeated.”

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Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee said today: “The Famine tore at the very fabric of our society by decimating communities that had been so tightly knit together. Today, as we remember the victims of this cataclysm, the vital message that this commemoration sends out to the world is one of hope and renewal. The people of this country persevered through desperate suffering. Their music, songs and language survived. And we still stand here, to honour the dead, the exiled, and those left behind.

“An Gorta Mór left towns and communities across the country drained of life and laughter. Today’s ceremony shows the strength of spirit in those communities, through music, art and song.”

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