This article is from page 14 of the 2013-05-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THE people of Kilrush did themselves, their county and the nation proud on Sunday as they led the National Famine Memorial Day Commemoration.
As many as 3,000 people braved the elements that reflected the mood of the time being commemorated, better than the time of year.
As dark grey clouds gathered overhead the Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht and chairman of the National Famine Commemoration Committee Jimmy Deenihan walked through Francis Street and on to the newly constructed stage, accompanied by military honours.
He told the people it was a “fitting tribute” to host the national commemoration in the town of Kilrush, a town that suffered most during the famine.
Then thousands of cameras and camera phones were sent into over drive as the man described by earlier speakers as a man “coming home”, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, made his way through the wide street accompanied by his wife Sabina.
Overhead residents of Francis Street looked out of their upstairs windows, and from that premier vantage point saw military honours, the presidential salute and the inspection of Captain’s Guard of Honour, 1 Infantry Battalion, 1 Brigade take place below.
Despite the large crowd spanning in age from three to 93 and the howling winds sending a haunting whistle through the town, respect was shown at all times for the ceremony which took more than three hours.
The local community for its part of the ceremony, provided a poignant and appropriate mix of song, poetry, readings, music and drama.
PJ Murphy’s ‘West Clare Famine Song’ opened the platform for readings by Mayor of Kilrush Mairead O’Brien and Mayor of Clare Pat Daly from the ‘Illustrated London News’.
Dr Ciarán Ó Murchadha then read the poem ‘An Droch Shaol i gCill Ruis’, which was followed by a memorable performance by Crack’d Spoon Theatre Company.
Prayers for the victims of the Great Famine were led by leading members of the different churches, with those of all denominations and none answering “Amen” for the call for no more hunger and pain.
As Imam Sheikh Hussein Halawa finished the prayer service with some verses from the Koran, a large and unexpected wind blew up from the Marina causing the flag at half-mast to flap so hard it almost sounded like it was applauding the prayers.
A performance of ‘Lone Shanakyle’ by local woman Assumpta Kennedy was followed by a reflection read by Aideen Henry of the Humanist Association of Ireland, and then the rain came in.
The crowd huddled together under umbrellas, hats and plastic ponchos, and no one complained.
A people renowned for whinging about the weather stayed still and silent, with the evidence surrounding them reminding them that things could and have been worse.
A commemorative dance piece by Banner Productions encouraged the rain to stop for a short while, as the people peeked out again to see local talent represent them on a national stage.
And then the president spoke. For 23 minutes he recalled the horrors West Clare had suffered in the Great Irish Famine, and reminded those present that their ancestors had lived and died in one of the three places worst affected by it.
“Today, we particularly remember the victims of this great tragedy in our history who hailed from Kilrush and its environs, and indeed from the province of Munster as a whole. Along with Connacht, Munster was severely impacted by An Gorta Mór. When the Famine ended, it had lost the greatest number of people of any province through death and emigration. A contributing factor to this outcome was that famine conditions were sustained throughout Munster for five years or more,” he said.
“Within Munster, the county of Clare was the most severely affected during the Famine and Kilrush shares the unhappy distinction of being one of the three areas worst hit by death, disease and evictions. In fact, it is estimated that Kilrush lost 50 per cent of its population between 1846 and 1851. It is very fitting therefore that we should gather today in Kilrush to honour the memory of its Famine victims. I wish to thank the people of Kilrush for so generously hosting us and for all the effort, care and imagination they have invested in this solemn national commemoration.
“Many of our Irish people died believing that their lives were of no value; that they counted for nothing. By our presence here today, we honour their lives, we remember their suffering and we grieve for them all,” he concluded.
The President then planted a tree and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.
The state commemoration took over from the community at approximately 4.30pm, and the crowd stood in silence for another half an hour.
During this time the Head Chaplin of the Defence Forces Monsignor Eoin Thynne led prayers followed by the piper’s lament.
The President then laid the rememberance wreath.
Afterwards 36 ambassadors from all over the world lay their own wreaths of remembrance.
A minute’s silence was observed as thousands of people continued to defy the blustering wind and rain.
The National Famine Commemoration in Kilrush then concluded with the national anthem as the national flag was raised to full mast.