National Famine Commemoration

The National Famine Commemoration is an opportunity for the State and communities across the Ireland to honour the memory of those who were lost to death and emigration due to this seismic event in our history.

Since its inception in 2008, the National Famine Commemoration has taken place in each province on a rotating basis on the weekend of the third Sunday in May. The ceremony is hosted by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and is presided over by the President of Ireland or the Taoiseach on alternating years.

The arrangements for the holding of this State commemoration are decided each year following consultation with the relevant local authority and host community. The commemoration is open to the public and includes military honours, a wreath laying ceremony, and a local programme of cultural events leading up to the event that reflect on the major themes of the Famine with a particular focus on the impact of the Irish famine on the local landscape and people. In addition to the public attendance, various categories of invited guests, diplomats and dignitaries also attend the event.

The first National commemoration took place on the occasion of the first meeting of the National Famine Commemoration Committee in the Custom House, Dublin in 2008. In 2009, the first commemoration to include both local input and a formal State ceremony was held in Skibbereen, Cork. The locations and details of previous National Famine Commemorations are listed below.

International Famine Commemoration