The National Famine Way Commemorative Walk 2024
May 20 - May 25
The National Famine Way Commemorative Walk takes place over six days from Monday 20th to Saturday 25th May 2024 beginning with a dramatic re-enactment of the events which prompted the foundation of the walk. Walkers will be joined by schools, traditional musicians, entertainment and costumed enthusiasts. Walkers and walking groups are invited to join in for the full six days (165km) or part of the walk. The walk begins at the National Famine Museum | Strokestown Park in Roscommon. It will be preceded by the Canadian Wake evening event evoking the old tradition of an American wake before emigrants departed. This will feature Marita Conlon-McKenna author of the award-winning famine novel ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’.
The National Famine Way™ is a 165km waymarked walking and cycling trail commemorating a heartbreaking walk of forced emigration which took place in 1847 at the height of the Irish famine. It begins at the memorial glass wall at The National Famine Museum | Strokestown Park in Roscommon and continues through six counties to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin’s Docklands. The route is poignantly marked by more than 30 pairs of bronze children’s shoes 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.