National Memorial Day for famine victims held throughout Offaly

The County Offaly Commemoration of Irish famine Victims held ceremonies for all the victims of the Great Famine on May 16. Mass was celebrated in Kilcormac Church for all the souls who died during the famine, while in Cadamstown a wreath was laid on behalf of the local community and a minute"s silence was observed to honour all the famine victims. At Ralehin cemetery Mountbolus, local historian Paddy Heaney outlined the effects the famine had on the locality and he praised the efforts the Daly family had done over a long number of years in restoring the cemetery to the wonderful state it is in to day. A wreath was then laid and piper Brian Meacle played a lament, which was followed by a minute"s silence and prayers for all the victims of the famine. A famine walk then took place from the cemetery to Ballyboy and this was escorted by the Civil Defence Unit. Upon arrival at Ballyboy the walkers were joined by a colour party from Offaly Defence and pupils from Scoil Naomh Bhride Ballyboy who were dressed in clothes of the famine period and piper Brian Meacle led the group to the famine plot at Ballyboy where a candle of hope was burning and the national flag flew at half mast. Commemoration Committee PRO Denis O"Driscoll welcomed everyone and outlined the reason for the day"s National Memorial Day, which was to mark the saddest period in Irish history. Every county in Ireland was affected by this tragic event and all the pupils of the school pinned black and white ribbons (the black for all those who perished during the famine and the white for all those who survived, our ancestors) on a map of Ireland. Vera Hayden, on behalf of the committee, laid a wreath and a minute"s silence was observed. The Civil Defence Colour Party took the salute as the national flag was raised to full mast. The pupils then sang Amhran Na bhFiann and this brought the ceremonies to a close. Denis O"Driscoll thanked everyone who had helped in any way to organize the day"s events especially the Hayden and Lynch families.