Campaign heats up for Laois town to host national Famine event

The campaign to have Abbeyleix host the Irish Famine Commemoration Day next year has accelerated, with Laois County Council agreeing to put forth their bid to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.

The Abbeyleix & District Heritage Society, led by Noel Burke, launched a petition to mark Abbeyleix's historical connection to the Great Famine through the town being selected to host the national commemoration day. 

The petition has gained traction online, gathering hundreds of signatures.

The Irish Famine Commemoration Day is a major event held in May each year to mark and reflect on the impact and legacy of the Great Famine.

The event rotates across the country each year. Last year, Kilmallock in County Limerick hosted the commemoration.

READ NEXT: Laois cancer survivor graduates with PhD

In November, Cllr Marie Tuohy sought Laois County Council's support for Abbeyleix's bid to host this year's events. However, Portumna in County Galway was chosen as this year's hosts. 

Now, there has been renewed calls for the town to host the event in May 2027.

At the Laois County Council meeting in March, Cllr Tuohy asked the council to request the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media Patrick O'Donovan to consider nominating Abbeyleix as the designated venue to host the Irish Famine Commemoration Day.

Cllr Tuohy pointed out that Laois has never hosted the event, despite the county's deep ties with the Great Famine and the numerous historical sites scattered around Abbeyleix and the county.

"These sites are ready-made commemorative landscapes suitable for a national memorial ceremony," Cllr Tuohy told the council.

Emphasising the importance of the national commemorative day, she said: "The commemoration is about remembering and treating the people who suffered with dignity. Abbeyleix is a place where history is very real and present."

"Abbeyleix doesn't just tell the story of the Famine, it carries it in a very real way," the Portlaoise councillor argued.

Many local councillors supported Cllr Tuohy's motion, citing the historical significance of the Great Famine in Abbeyleix.

Incorporating other historical sites in Laois was discussed by Cllr John King and Cllr Paddy Buggy. Particular attention was given to Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum, which is a restored workhouse from the 1850s.

Cllr Buggy said that Laois is an "ideal place" to host the commemoration given the impact of the Famine on the county. He also noted that he spoke with the campaigners in Abbeyleix and they agreed that it could potentially be a county event.

Laois County Council has supported the campaign and agreed to write to the Minister, who is responsible for designating the host locations, to consider Abbeyleix as next year's host. They said they will also confirm the council's "willingness to support such a proposal."

To sign the petition for Abbeyleix to host the Irish Famine Commemoration Day in 2027, you can click the link here.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme