Famine Graveyard Commemoration Re-enactment

Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society Presents

Famine Graveyard Commemoration

Soup Kitchen Re-enactment

On Wednesday 24 June at 7.30pm, the Mullingar Famine Graveyard Committee will hold its annual ecumenical commemoration in the Robinstown Famine burial ground.

This year marks the 180th anniversary of the first total failure of the potato crop in 1846 when in excess of three million people depended on this crop for their subsistence.

To cope with the subsequent food crisis Soup Kitchens were set up all over the country. This form of relief certainly saved many lives but it was also a humiliating experience for those who had to queue publicly with their food vessels, bowls and billycans to receive their rations.

Some of the so-called Famine Pots used to cook the soup survived in Westmeath and the planned re-enactment on Wednesday 24 June next will feature a unique example of one such Westmeath Famine Bowl.

Musical accompaniment will be provided by Dick Hogan, Eamon Battle Val Johnston and Enda Finnerty will give his rendition of Johnny Mc Evoys The Famine Song. There will also be a short ecumenical service followed by a talk on the Westmeath Soup Kitchens by historian Seamus O Brien.

Supported by Westmeath County Council