National Famine Way Roadshow for Trim
Month of May marks anniversary of journey 1,490 emigrants from Strokestown, Roscommon and the annual National Famine Commemoration
The new National Famine Way Roadshow which goes on tour during May and June will visit Trim on 22nd May.
Trim is one of seven locations along the route of the long distance trail to host the roadshow. Featuring talks and presentations by leading local and international famine historians, this fascinating event will bring a poignant part of our history to life.
Appropriately the month of May marks both the anniversary of the mass departure of 1,490 emigrants from Strokestown, Co Roscommon and the annual National Famine Commemoration.
The Trim event takes place on Thursday 22nd May from 2pm-4pm in Trim Library and everyone is welcome to attend. There is no admission charge but registration in advance (by emailing nationalfaminewayroadshow@gmail.com) is required.
The Trim Roadshow includes high profile speakers Caroilín Callery, founder of the National Famine Way; Dr Jason King, academic coordinator of the National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, and of the Irish Heritage Trust and Dr Eamon McKee, former Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, keen historian and an instrumental force in the Global Irish Famine Way. An opportunity to ask questions of the experts will be offered.
The National Famine Way is a 165km way marked walking and cycling trail commemorating a heartbreaking walk of forced emigration which took place in 1847 at the height of the Irish famine. It begins at the memorial glass wall at The National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park in Roscommon and continues through six counties to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin’s Docklands.
The route is poignantly marked by more than 30 pairs of bronze children’s shoes and the route and associated stories can be followed through a free app. Walkers can also purchase an official passport to get stamped along the route.
The National Famine Way Roadshow is presented by the Irish Heritage Trust in collaboration with the seven local authorities along the trail - Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Meath, Kildare , Fingal county councils, and Dublin City Council.
Caroilín Calleary said: “Touring with this Roadshow gives us a chance to visit each of the communities along the route again making the history of the Irish famine more visible.
“We hope to deepen the connections in each while honouring the memory of Strokestown’s missing 1,490.”