With just over two weeks left before the start of Irish Famine commemoration event, Newry Mourne and Down District Council are making the final preparations to the promotion.
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Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chief Executive and Chairperson Cllr Naimi Bailie launch the Great Famine portal on the Council website.[/caption]
On Monday 7 September, Council Chief Executive Liam Hannaway and Chairperson Cllr Naomi Bailie launched the Famine latest news on the Council website to help everyone to keep up to date with the many events and activities taking place throughout the district. It also gives information what life was like back in the days of the famine.
Earlier this month, the Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Naomi Bailie, launched a number of printed resource materials relating to the Great Famine’s impact on the local area.
The resource materials complement the Council’s programme of activities and events leading up to the Annual Famine Commemoration which takes place on Saturday 26 September at the Albert Basin in Newry. This event will be a fitting reminder of the devastation and loss experienced by millions of people in the years of the Great Irish Famine 1845-49 and beyond. The event is FREE and gates open at 12.30pm.
These items include a travelling exhibition, booklet, leaflet detailing research resources in Newry and Mourne Museum and Down County Museum and an education pack for local schools.
Speaking at the launch, the Chairperson of Council, Councillor Bailie said: “The printed resources materials provide an overview of the Great Famine’s impact on the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. I would like to thank all those who contributed articles to the booklet. The articles reflect what life was like in the first half of the 19th century and how the famine impacted on all parts of society and culture.
“I would also like to thank the staff from Newry and Mourne Museum and Down County Museum for compiling these resources. They are a valuable legacy of the Annual Famine Commemoration and will be of great value to those wanting to find more about this period of Irish history.”
The booklet, leaflet and education pack are available from both Museums. The travelling exhibition will be on display in Newry and Mourne Museum from the 4–17 September and in Down County Museum from the 21–24 September. Thereafter, the exhibition will travel around venues throughout the district.
It can be booked by emailing:
Declan.carroll@newryandmourne.gov.uk or tel. 028 3031 3178.
In the run-up to the official Annual Famine Commemoration, which takes place at the Albert Basin in Newry on Saturday 26 September, there will be a number of events and activities in Newry and Mourne Museum.
These include a five day history course with Dr. Gerard McAtasney 21–25 September that looks at the Famine in Ulster, a talk by Dr. Fionntán De Brun on The Great Famine and the Irish Language on 22 September at 7.30pm and a short history course on Irish Migration with Dr. Grainne McEvoy from the 29 September–1st October.
For Famine Event details, go to:
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