Annual Famine Commemoration Events

Understanding the Impact of the  Great Famine in Ulster

21 September - 25 September, 1.00pm - 3.00pm

A five day history course with Dr Gerard MacAtasney. The course aims to address the misconception that Ulster was immune to one of the greatest human disasters of the 19th century.

Monday 21 Pre-Famine

Tuesday 22 The First Blight 1845-46

Wednesday 23 An Drochshaol 1846-47

Thursday 24 The Poor Law Extension Act

Friday 25 Consequences, Emigration and Mortality

The Great Famine and the Irish Language

Tuesday 22 September, 7.30pm

A talk by Dr Fionntán DeBrun. The Great Famine is generally regarded as having dramatically precipitated the decline of the Irish language. This talk will consider this linguistic landscape as part of an examination of how Irish speakers reacted to the crises as it unfolded. How did poets and scribes describe the situation as it appeared to them? How useful is the oral testimony of survivors as this was passed down to us after the catastrophe?

Irish Migration: The Famine and After

29 September - 1 October, 3.00pm - 5.00pm

A short history course with

Dr Grainne McEvoy.

Tuesday 29

An Overview of Irish Migration - Placing

the Famine Migrants in Context

Wednesday 30

Work, Play and Prayer - Daily Life in the

Irish Diaspora

Thursday 1

In the Shadow of Exile - Political Life in the Irish Diaspora and the Legacy of the Famine

Events take place at Newry and  Mourne Museum at Bagenal’s Castle

All events are FREE of charge, but pre-booking is advisable.

To book or for more information

T: 028 3031 3178

E: declan.carroll@newryandmourne.gov.uk

Saturday 26 September

Annual Famine Commemoration Ceremony

The official ceremony will include community-led events such as music recitals, poetry readings and historical reflections. Albert Basin, Newry. Gates open from 12.30pm Everyone welcome.