President to lead National Famine Commemoration in Milford

The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, will be in Donegal on Sunday as the National Famine Commemoration is held at the site of the former Milford workhouse.

President Higgins will lead a wreath-laying ceremony and will unveil a commemorative stone at the site. President Higgins will also plant a Common Oak tree with the assistance of local schoolchildren.

As part of the ceremony, which will be broadcast on the RTÉ News Now channel, the President will also conduct an inspection of the 28th Infantry Battalion Guard of Honour.

The event is held in memory of those who suffered during the Great Famine from 1845-1851.

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President Higgins will be accompanied by his wife Sabina and Minister of State Jack Chambers.

Minister Catherine Martin, Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee said: “The choice of Donegal as host for the 2023 National Famine Commemoration is particularly welcome given the deferral of the hosting of the 2020 event in Donegal due to the pandemic.

“It is appropriate that the event will take place on the old site of the Milford workhouse, given the adversity endured by the people of Donegal in the face of poverty, hunger and emigration throughout the Great Famine and the 19th century. The Commemoration will reflect on this momentous event in Irish history and remember all those who suffered as a result of An Gorta Mór.”

The 2020 event was planned for Buncrana, but following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic those plans were revised to make it a private occasion.

An estimated one million deaths resulted from starvation or hunger-related disease during An Gorta Mór with a further one million people fleeing the country.

In Donegal there was a workhouse in each of the eight Poor Law Unions: Carndonagh, Dunfanaghy, Milford, Letterkenny, Stranorlar, Glenties, Donegal Town and Ballyshannon.

For many, being forced to spend time in the local workhouse was regarded as the ultimate humiliation, but many were driven there by desperation or following eviction.

The onset of famine in 1845 tested the poor relief system to its limits as more and more people tried to gain admittance to the workhouses with many such facilities forced to build extra accommodation.

The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Councillor Liam Blaney said: “We are honoured that Donegal will have the opportunity to host the National Famine Commemoration ceremony in 2023. We look forward to working closely with the Minister’s department and encouraging the active participation of our local community. Together we will ensure a fitting commemoration on this catastrophic time in Irish history."