This article is from page 12 of the 2012-09-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
KILRUSH has been put forward as the location for a National Famine Commemoration Ceremony in 2013.
The announcement was made by Director of Service Ger Dollard who said Kilrush had been selected by an expert panel.
Mr Dollard made the comments after a group of West Clare councillors proposed that Kilrush’s Famine history be recognised as part of events for the Gathering tourism initiative.
The motion was put forward by councillors Bill Chambers (FF), Pat Keane (FF), Oliver Garry (FG) and Gabriel Keating (FG) at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council.
The motion called on the council to nominate Kilrush as the location for the National Famine Commemoration Ceremony 2013 “as the case for Kilrush was exceptionally strong given the severe impact of the famine on the area”.
According to the three councillors, “a very strong group has been established to promote such an event”.
Cllr Chambers told the meeting that Kilrush, along with Westport and Skibereen was one of the worst areas hit by death, disease and evictions during the Famine.
Cllr Pat Keane said Kilrush had suffered hugely during the Famine and deserved to be commemorated during the Gathering events in 2013.
Cllr Oliver Garry said Kilrush met all the criteria in terms of logistics for the Gathering.
In his reply, Mr Dollard said the council had placed a public advertisement inviting submissions or observations in relation to locations within Clare where the National Famine Commemoration could be held. He said the council had received three submissions. He added, “Each County Council has been asked to submit only one proposal for each county. It will be a matter then for the National Famine Commemoration Committee to determine which location will host the 2013 National Famine Commemoration.