(Check against delivery)
Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins, Sabina Higgins, Airí, comhaltaí na hOireachtas, Comhairleoirí, Ambasadóir, an Rev. Luis Mariano Montemayor, Nuncio Apostóil agus an Deán na gCorpa Diplómaíochta agus comhaltaí na gCorpa Diplómaíochta, tugairí creidimh, a dhaoine uaisle.
President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and Mrs. Sabina Higgins, Ministers, Oireachtas members, Councillors, His Excellency, The Most Reverend Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Religious leaders, Ladies and Gentlemen.
A chairde, tá failte roimh go leir, anseo inniu.
Kilmallock is a town that has worked its way into my own heart since I got to know its amazing communities better during the election.
It is a great honour for me as Mayor of Limerick to welcome you here today for the National Famine Commemoration.
Today, we remember a period in our history - The Great Famine that changed Ireland forever, even up to this day. This Ceremony represents an opportunity for us to pause, reflect and take time to remember our past and the journey to today.
Limerick was not spared. Indeed, it was one of the counties most acutely affected by the Great Famine. An estimated 50,000 people across Limerick died due to starvation and disease, while another 50,000 were forced to leave and forge new lives overseas.
This resulted in the population of Limerick declining by 21 per cent during this period - from 330,000 in 1841 to 262,000 in 1851. Those that emigrated from the city and county as a result of the Great Famine or otherwise contributed to the worldwide Limerick diaspora – including JFK’s family roots up the road in Bruff - that is today around three million-strong.
We are gathered today in Kilmallock’s Famine Memorial Park, the site of Kilmallock Union Workhouse, where the full horror of the stories behind the statistics was played out. This park was opened in June 1999 by then President Mary McAleese. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the then organising committee and their families, whose sterling efforts brought about this Memorial Park. I should particularly like to mention Mr. William Parkinson, chair of that committee, and Mr. Pat Gubbins who are with us today.
The workhouse was opened in 1841 with capacity for 800, but eventually housed 1,200. More workhouses and fever hospitals had to be opened, such as at Bruff, Ballylanders, Galbally, Garrynoe, and Bruree.
By the end of 1848, despite providing relief to over 3,500 people, malnutrition and disease were rife. It is believed that 1,500 people who did not survive are buried in this park (over here to my right).
Today as we commemorate them and all who died during the Great Famine, we now have an opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved as a nation.
We have gained our independence, peace on our island, and a lasting and stable democratic state, able to confidently take its place with the other nations of the world.
Here too in Limerick, we echo that journey. We are proud of our long traditions of sport, literature, music and performing arts – blended with our long industrial and business heritage to create one of the most desirable places to live in a modern Europe.
Often at these events, I have the pleasure of welcoming visiting dignitaries. It is with even greater pleasure I welcome two of our own today. Our Limerick rep at the Cabinet table, Minister Patrick O’Donovan T.D., and Limerick man, President Michael D. Higgins, to Kilmallock, to host the National Famine Commemoration.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the members of the National Famine Commemoration Committee for their work in developing the concept of an annual National Famine Commemoration, and for ensuring that the victims of the famine are appropriately remembered.
Today, we remember not just those victims, but all who in the world today and visibly on our TV screens continue to suffer the evils of famine and starvation. Even in our own county, despite our success, there are unacceptable levels of poverty.
In closing, I would like to thank the staff at Limerick City and County Council, particularly the Culture team and the team at the Municipal District in Kilmallock for their wonderful contribution to making this event a success.
I would particularly like to welcome and thank the local music performers and readers and all the volunteers who are enriching today’s event.
Finally, I would also like to thank the community in Kilmallock who have made this event, and this commemoration, their own. By doing so you hold the past generations in your mind, and more importantly, your heart.
Go raibh maith agaibh uile.
