The official National Famine Commemoration will take place on The Mall in Drogheda on the afternoon of Sunday 13 May 2012. As part of that event, An Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, will unveil the commemoration plaque shown below.
This plaque is one of series of a six plaques that have been specially commissioned to
provide a permanent memorial of the 2012 National Famine Commemoration Events in
Drogheda. There are being placed in locations around the town that played a very
significant role during the period of the Great Famine.
These locations are:
THE MALL - This is the location for the main Famine Commemoration Event being led by
An Taoiseach. It is also the location of Drogheda Port from where some 70,000 people
emigrated from Ireland during 1847 alone. The paddle steamer shown on the plaque is
similar to those in which these many emigrants travelled to Liverpool, either to stay in
England or to undertake a second boat journey to further afield.
THE THOLSEL - This would have been the centre of local government and poor relief in Famine times
DROGHEDA WORKHOUSE - The workhouse, at St. Marys, on the south side of the town,
was the very last option for the destitute and starving poor.
THE CORNMARKET - This was on the site now occupied by the Borough Council Offices
at Fair Street and was one of the locations used for Soup Kitchens in Drogheda
CHORD CEMETERY - This is the final resting place for many victims of the Famine
BOSTON 2102 - Boston is the overseas Famine Commemoration location for 2012 and
The President will officiate at commemoration ceremonies there on the week-end of 5th
May. This plaque is to mark both that fact and the other many historic links between
Drogheda and Boston
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