Irish National Famine Memorial Day, May 16, 2010

Here we are at the Famine Memorial, Murrisk, County Mayo in April. A beautiful spot overlooking the ruined Murrisk Abbey and Clew Bay with Croagh Patrick across the road.  Here is an article on the day from the Irish Times, May 16, 2010
Thousands of people are expected to attend a  ceremony today to remember the 1.5 million people who died or emigrated during the Famine.
Up to 5,000 people are expected to attend the second National Famine Commemoration Day in Murrisk, Co Mayo.
All those who suffered between 1845 and 1851 will be honoured at the National Famine Monument, a large bronze sculpture of a coffin ship which sits at the foot of Croagh Patrick.
Community Minister Pat Carey will be among the dignitaries at the service which will feature a wreath laying, music, readings and a tree planting and candle lighting ceremony.
Frank McCarrick, of Murrisk Development Association, said the ceremony was particularly poignant for locals as several coffin ships left for the US from nearby Westport.
“A lot of people would have seen Croagh Patrick and Clare Island, at the mouth of Clew Bay, as their last glimpse of Ireland as they left and headed for America,” he added.
In a statement the Irish bishops encouraged parish communities to find an appropriate way to mark the day, like with a pilgrimage to or prayer at a local famine site or graveyard.
“As the country holds the second National Famine Commemoration Day, we are confronted by the shocking reality that more than one billion people on the planet are victims of hunger,” they said.

“Remembering the millions who died or were forced to emigrate at the time of the Irish Famine brings to mind that almost one in six of the world’s people does not have enough food to eat today.”