Following on from the success of the above walk in 2024 as a fundraising initiative for Homeless Veterans, it has been agreed to repeat it in May 2025.

 

In May 1847, the landlord of Strokestown Estate in County Roscommon evicted 227 families from their homes, and because it was cheaper to send them abroad than to keep them in the workhouses 1490 men, women and children, (mostly children) were forced to walk the 170kms from Strokestown along the Royal Canal to Dublin from where they sailed to Liverpool and subsequently put on-board one of four coffin ships destined for Canada.

In 2018, the Irish Government approved the designation of the third Sunday in May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day, this year it is Sunday 18 May.

A group of walkers from the Military Community (Veterans & Serving) will undertake the journey from Strokestown to the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay, Dublin, re-enacting the arduous Famine Trail along the Canal, covering approx. 170 km over 7 days, commencing on Monday 12th and finishing on Sunday 18th May 2025. Daily walk will be approx. 25 kms. The majority of walkers are retired veterans in the 60+ age range.

There is also an opportunity for all to organise a walk and talk event on the National Famine Commemoration Day Sunday 18 May and coincide with the walkers reaching the Famine Memorial in Dublin. 

All Defence Force Units, ONE Branches and any Veteran who would like to support this fundraising event can avail of Sponsorship Cards from ONE President Mick Kinahan. [email protected]

If you would like to set up a personal fundraising page linked to this event, please click on this link. 

https://oneconnect.enthuse.com/fundraising/start?crowdfunding=famine-trail-walk-2025#!/