The National Famine Way Roadshow comes to Ballymahon Library

Honouring the memory of Strokestown’s missing 1,490 emigrants

Press Release: Monday, 12 May 2025 

The new National Famine Way Roadshow which goes on tour during May and June 2025 will call to Ballymahon Library as one of seven locations along the route of the long-distance trail.

Featuring talks and presentations by leading local and international famine historians, this fascinating event will bring a poignant part of history to life. Appropriately, the month of May marks both the anniversary of the mass departure of 1,490 emigrants from Strokestown, County Roscommon and the annual National Famine Commemoration.

The Ballymahon event takes place on Tuesday, 20 May from 3-5pm in Ballymahon Library. There is no admission charge, but registration is required in advance (by emailing nationalfaminewayroadshow@gmail.com).

The Ballymahon Roadshow includes high profile speakers Caroilín Callery, founder of the National Famine Way; Dr Jason King, Academic Coordinator of the National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, and of the Irish Heritage Trust and Martin Morris, Longford County Archivist. An opportunity to ask questions of the experts will be offered and everyone is welcome to attend.

The National Famine Way Roadshow is presented by the Irish Heritage Trust in collaboration with the seven local authorities along the trail (Roscommon County Council, Longford County Council, Westmeath County Council, Meath County Council, Kildare County Council, Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council).

Speaking about the Roadshow, Caroilín Calleary said, “Touring with this Roadshow gives us a chance to visit each of the communities along the route again making the history of the Irish famine more visible. We hope to deepen the connections in each while honouring the memory of Strokestown’s missing 1,490.”

The National Famine Way is a 165km way marked 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 County 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.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, “This partnership highlights the collective commitment of local authorities to honour and remember the 1,490 individuals who were forced to emigrate from Strokestown during the Famine. The Roadshow serves as a poignant reminder of this tragic chapter in Irish history.”

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey said, “The National Famine Way Roadshow offers us a powerful opportunity to honour the memory of those who walked from Strokestown in search of survival. It’s a vital reminder of our shared past and the resilience of those forced to emigrate and it ensures their stories continue to shape our national understanding of history.”

The Ballymahon event takes place on Tuesday, 20 May from 3-5pm in Ballymahon Library. There is no admission charge, but registration is required in advance (by emailing nationalfaminewayroadshow@gmail.com).

Please see the website for any updates on speakers www.nationalfamineway.ie.