Deenihan praises school children for remembering the Great Famine

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, Mr Jimmy Deenihan T.D., today thanked all the schools in the State who plan to hold one minute’s silent reflection tomorrow “as a gesture of respect and acknowledgement of those who died or suffered loss in the Great Famine”.

Students in all primary and secondary schools have been asked to pause for one minute at noon on Friday May 9th 2014 to reflect on the loss of the Great Famine and contemplate famine and hunger worldwide. Mr Deenihan said that there has been “remarkable support from Schools for this initiative. We are very grateful for their support and for their continued willingness to show respect and remembrance for all those who suffered during the famine.

“The participation of our younger generations ensures our own history is remembered and it also raises awareness of current hunger issues around the world. The devastation caused by the famine in Ireland has shaped our attitude to famine experienced in the world today and Ireland remains deeply committed to providing humanitarian relief to those in need”.

The 2014 National Famine Commemoration will be held this Sunday in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. Members of the public are invited to attend the event, which includes a formal State ceremony as well as a community element. The International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine will take place in New Orleans in November, 2014.