Co. Mayo Famine Walk Connects Hunger and Militarism

mayo | miscellaneous | feature

Sunday June 01, 2003 15:36

by IMC Editorial Group - IMC Ireland

In March 1849, several hundred starving people set out on a desperate walk from Louisburgh in County Mayo, Ireland. Their destination was a mansion where dinner was being served to the Board of Guardians who had the powers to release food or issue certificates of destitution to give entry to the workhouse. The Louisburg people were denied both. On the return journey as many as a hundred men, women and children died.

The Famine/Peace Walk Walk organised by Afri (Action from Ireland) took place from Doolough to Louisburg, Co Mayo on Saturday 31st May to commemorate this event and raise awareness around issues of world poverty and the arms trade. Walk leaders were Brendan Forde OFM who has worked for 30 years in Latin America, Kathy Kelly of Voices in the Wilderness, Nuria Mustafa, an Iraqi exile living in Ireland, and Pat O’Brien, priest, poet and anti-war activist.

Photos of the 'Famine Walk 2003': (1) (2) (3) (4)
MP3 Audio of AFrI Speeches at the Co. Mayo Famine Walk
Song about the Irish Famine in Co. Mayo, sung by Michael O'Grady: (MP3 stream / MP3 ftp download) - Iraqi Woman Connects the Irish Famine & Muslim Charity on the 1840's: (MP3 stream / MP3 ftp download) - Kathy Kelly Speaks About Her Experience in Iraq During the US/UK Invasion: (MP3 stream / MP3 ftp download) - Father Pat O'Brien speaks about the Irish Famine's relevance today: (MP3 stream / MP3 ftp download)