Walk with Rose in memory of her ancestors from Keash
A CANADIAN woman with Sligo roots will be undertaking a walk in Sligo this weekend in memory of her ancestors and is inviting people to join her.
Rose Marie Stanley is walking ‘The Famine Trail’ from Keash to Sligo town twice this month, having walked for the first time alone on Monday, April 4.
Her great-great-great gandparents Patrick Kaveney and Sarah McDonagh along with their six children, aged between one and 12 years old, left Keash on Sunday, April 4, 1847, in search of a new, better life aboard the Carricks of Whitehaven which was bound for North America.
The ship sunk near Cap-des-Rosiers, a small village in the Quebec region of Canada, as it neared the end of its voyage.
Of the stricken ship’s 173 passengers, 48 made it ashore alive, among them some of Sarah’s ancestors.
Speaking about her decision to walk in their memory, she said: “Unlike my desperate and courageous ancestors, I didn’t walk that route with six young children and a few meager possessions.
“I didn’t walk barefoot and wearing threadbare clothing.
“Nor did I walk that long 22-mile trek knowing that I’d never again see any of my beloved family members, my friends, my neighbours, or my community.
“They left their land, the unique beauty of the Caves of Keash and all they knew. With broken hearts, they bade their final farewell.
“As I did in 2015 and in 2017, I’ll again walk this sad route in humble contemplation.
“I walk to honour Patrick, Sarah and the thousands of Irish families who also left their homeland with their hearts filled with fear, courage, and hope for a better life, but there were no guarantees of a better life for them or for their children.
“I walk to say ‘thank you’ to Sarah and Patrick for their bravery and their resilience, despite being shipwrecked and losing their five young daughters in that tragedy.
“I remain in awe and am forever thankful for the gifts that their sacrifices have given to me and to thousands of their descendants.
“In essence, I hope that these walks can help us remember the past while looking at the world events of today which in many cases, mirror those of 175 years ago.”
She continued: “I hope that we are able to learn valuable lessons from the past and present so that our descendants have a future that is peaceful and equal in all respects to all, no matter the colour of their skin or where they live.”
This Saturday’s walk begins at 9.30am, with all taking part asked to gather at the church in Keash at 9.15am.
The route begins in Keash, walking along theold road to Ballymote, continuing on through Collooney, Ballisodare and into Sligo town, ending at the famine monument in the Quay Street car park.
The walk will take approximately six to seven hours. All participants are asked to wear high vis vests or jackets.