Rinne an tAire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt, Patrick O’Donovan, Cuimhneachán Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir 2025 a óstáil i gCill Mocheallóg, Co. Luimnigh, Dé Sathairn, an 17 Bealtaine.
Bhí an tUachtarán Micheál D. Ó hUigínn i bhfeighil ar an searmanas oifigiúil Stáit mar a thug sé an príomhaitheasc deiridh uaidh ar Chuimhneachán Náisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir.
Bhí an t-imeacht ar siúl i Luimneach den chéad uair agus bhí onóracha míleata ann agus thug Méara Luimnigh, John Moran agus an tAire O’Donovan óráidí uathu.
Ghlac an tUachtarán, an tAire agus a Shoilse, an Sár-Oirmhinneach Luis Mariano Montemayor, Ard-Easpag, Déan an Chóir Taidhleoireachta páirt i searmanas inar cuireadh bláthfhleascanna i ndilchuimhne orthu siúd go léir a fuair bás le linn an Ghorta Mhóir.
Music at the event was provided by local musicians Liam Flanagan, Seán Ó Fearghail and Ciara Flanagan while pupils from Scoil Mocheallóg performed the poem Threnody by Flann O’Connor. Pupils from Coláiste Iósaef read a letter from Dr Morgan David O’Connell to the Kilmallock Board of Guardians dating from 1847.
Dúirt an tUachtarán Micheál D. Ó hUigínn:
“Of all the challenges that we face in our contemporary world, responding to global hunger and the vindication of the right to food security is one that is of paramount importance, a project under which we can all unite and work together to achieve.
Surely we, the descendants of Famine survivors, should demand and work with others to ensure that no other people anywhere in the world shall ever experience such a calamity.
In memory of all those who died during An Gorta Mór, may I repeat my plea that we all work together for lasting peace and for an end to global hunger and Famine.”
Dúirt an tAire Patrick O’Donovan:
“It is very fitting that the event is being held here in the grounds of Kilmallock Workhouse and next to the graveyard where so many of our forebears who died during this time, were laid to rest in a mass grave, neighbour with neighbour.”
