Belize Trade Union Activist for Doolough Famine Walk
April 24 1996
by Tom Gillespie
THE 9th annual Doolough to Louisburgh Famine walk will be held on Saturday May 4 with the theme, Famine, Land and Fair Trade. This year it will be led by Marciana Funez of the United Banners Banana Workers Union in Belize; Gráinne Davitt, grand-daughter of Michael Davitt and singer Christy Moore.
Organised by the human rights organisation Afri (Action from Ireland) the ten mile trek is to commemorate those who died on the march from Louisburgh to Delphi Lodge in March 1849.Strong folk tradition suggests that hundreds died on the ill-fated march where the starving people of the area had hoped to get rations of meal.
The walk - "A Road to Remember" also marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Land League founder Michael Davitt.
At the commencement of the walk Marciana Funez will tell of her experience of the monopolisation of land in Belize. She will explain what it is like to be on the other end of a trade system in which maximisation of profit is the primary motive. Marciana is an extremely courageous woman who has taken on the might of a multi-national company. She was recently named person of the year by Amandala newspaper, Belieze's largest weekly.
The walk commences at 1p.m. at Doolough. Participants can avail of shuttle busses which will depart from Louisburgh from 12 noon to 1p.m. The fare is £1.50.
Further information can be obtained from Afri on ++ 353 (0) 1 4785100 or from the
Louisburgh Famine Centre on ++ 353 (0) 98-66195.
Connaught Telegraph - News - April 1996
