The official launch of the Global Irish Famine Way took place at EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum when the walkers arrived on Saturday 25th May 2024 from the six day commemorative walk from Roscommon. It is an extension of the National Famine Way and will be the largest heritage trail in the world. It will eventually follow the journeys of all the Irish Famine emigrants around the world, including the UK, Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Australia. The Bronze Shoes that mark the National Famine Way will also mark each significant location on the Global Irish Famine Way. It begins in 2024 with Canada and the UK (Liverpool). Representatives from each took place in the commemorative walk.
In Ireland, The National Famine Way™ is open to walkers at any time as a self guided walk and the route and associated stories can be followed through a free app. Walkers can also purchase an official passport to get stamped along the route.
Canada
Fifteen locations have already been secured in Canada including Grosse Île, St John’s Newfoundland, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara, Saint John Partridge Island, Saint Colomban, Hamilton and Kingston. Evoking the initial journey, these bronze shoes travelled by sea from Galway to Newfoundland on the Marine Institute vessel the RV Celtic Explorer. A series of commemorative events will mark their arrival. Further details >>
Photo: Nancy Smith, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, with Dr. Eamonn McKee, Irelands Ambassador to Canada in Ballincarrigy, Co. Westmeath during our 2024 Commemorative Walk.
Liverpool
The Liverpool team carried a pair of bronze commemorative shoes along the route to Dublin. The shoes then crossed the Irish Sea to Liverpool, they were then carried from Clarence Dock to the Irish Famine Memorial at St Luke’s Church. Later in the year, during the Liverpool Irish Famine Memorial in October, Ireland’s UK Ambassador, Martin Fraser, and Consul General Sarah Mangan, will repeat the Clarence Dock to St Luke’s Churchwalk. Further details >>
Photo: Walkers from Canada, Liverpool, Ireland talking part in our 2024 Commemorative Walk.
In the media:
Ireland’s heartbreaking walk of forced emigration by BBC Eibhlis Gale-Coleman