NATIONAL FAMINE COMMEMORATION
As well as National Biodiversity Week, last week too saw the holding of the National Famine Commemoration. It had been scheduled to have been held in Donegal this year, having been held in Cork in 2018 involving UCC, Cork County Council and Cork City Council, but due to COVID-19 the 2020 commemoration was a closed event, having taken place in Dublin.
Although the height of the Irish Famine (An Gorta Mór) was close to 175 years ago, it is fitting that it is still being remembered today, as it is also most likely that in 175 years from now, we will still be remembering 2020 and the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Minister Madigan made a fitting point in this regard speaking of the famine commemoration, and noted “As we confront a pandemic today, let us recall that the Great Famine was a public health emergency in its own right.
“We think of the many heroes of the Famine years. People such as the doctors and nurses of the fever hospitals who put themselves at risk to care for others will always have our thanks for their sacrifice. As our society has changed and evolved, this commitment to helping others has never wavered and we see the same qualities of courage and commitment to others in our healthcare staff today.” commemorative projects both later this year and over the coming years, and there is no doubting the commitment that the people of Cork have in commemorating our past.
Indeed, 1920 is another year to remember, owing to the passing of the great Irish Author, An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire.
Peadar Ó Laoghaire had strong connections in both Carrig An Ime, where he was born, and Caisleáin Uí Liatháin, where he did most of his writing, and a number of public commemorative centenary events had been planned in his remembrance, which have since been postponed due to COVID-19 measures.
Notwithstanding this, commemorative projects are ongoing, and just recently a wonderful publication with An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire and the place he was born – Carraig An Ime – as the focus has been published, edited by Séamus Ó Laoghaire.
As noted in the foreword by Parish Priest Fr Joseph Rohan, the book tells ‘ the story of the last hundred years of the community of this famous priest, as well as giving a brief insight into his own life and times’.
The publication is a wonderful compilation of different articles and stories and is available to pick up locally and in Post Offices in the vicinity including
Baile Mhic Íre, Macroom, Inchigeela and Clondrohid.
Speaking of publications, the closing date is coming soon for people to make submissions to Cork County Council’s two upcoming Heritage Publications – the Archaeological Heritage of County Cork and the Colourful Heritage of County Cork Volume Two.
The Council would be delighted to receive any last submissions that groups or people would like to put forward, including any drawings that people may have undertaken of heritage sites and famous characters from the County’s past.
For more information in this regard simply send an email to cork.heritage@corkcoco.ie.
The month of June is now just around the corner and, with it, an occasion that in just its fourth year has become a mainstay in the year’s calendar of events.
The occasion is Cruinniú na Óg, which will take place on Saturday, June 13, and next week’s article will mention how young people from throughout the County of Cork can get involved, including details of a number of specially commissioned online workshops, commissioned by Cork County Council through the Creative Ireland Programme.