Annual event commemorating Famine taking place this Saturday online

The annual Great Famine Remembrance event by Afri Action From Ireland in association with Trócaire will take place this Saturday, May 15th, from 7 pm. to 8.30 pm.

Although the event usually occurs in the form of a walk every year in Co. Mayo, Afri will instead conduct an online stream featuring a host of renowned poets, musicians and historians.

The line-up includes folk singer Lisa O'Neill, performing with harpist Brídín and poet Paula Meehan.

Guest speakers will include the historian Professor Christine Kinealy and a special presentation of Woman in their Place, a short film that documents violence against women in Honduras.

Ruairí McKiernan, known for writing Hitching for Hope and from the Love and Courage podcast, will host the event.

Afri co-ordinator Joe Murray commented on how the event has become an international affair, referencing the interest they've received from people in far-flung places such as Peru and El Salvador.

"We’ve been doing this walk since 1988, and the interest in it is growing each year", he enthused. "Covid forced us to go online last year, which was a revelation as it allowed an international audience to be part of it all."

It is estimated that the Irish population fell by over 2 million people during the famine years of 1844 to 1851, whether that be from starvation or those forced to emigrate.

Murray stressed that while the event is to remember the Great Famine, it is important that Irish people help similar injustices worldwide. "Irish history teaches us about oppression, colonialism, violence, and migration." he said.

"We feel it is important that we honour those experiences by remembering them and by acting to prevent and address similar travesties that are occurring around the world today, whether it be in Central America, Palestine, the Mediterranean, or closer to home with homelessness and direct provision.”

The charity group defines their goal as "the promotion of global justice and peace, and the reduction of poverty".

Registration for the event is free with all the details available on Afri's website, www.afri.ie.