23 July 1997
"DRAMATIC AND EVOCATIVE SETTING" FOR FAMINE MEMORIAL
Forty smartly dressed pupils of Murrisk National School provided a guard of honour on Sunday as President Mary Robinson arrived to unveil the National Famine Monument on a site near the base of Croagh Patrick.
There was only a slight hint of drizzle on a balmy July afternoon as President Mary Robinson unveiled the memorial, a magnificent sculpture in bronze by John Behan entitled "The Coffin Ship". It honours the memory of all those who died, suffered and emigrated due to the Great Famine of 1845 -1850 and all victims of all Famines.
Dwelling on the Famine itself, President Robinson said Ireland had suffered greatly during that period. Although a culture of emigration had built up, Ireland still doesn't adequately prepare its youth for that emigration and this was something we should not be proud of.
Minister of State, Seamus Brennan TD told the gathering, which included a large representation from the diplomatic corps, that he was very proud of the Famine memorial and felt that its striking setting, between Croagh Patrick and the sea, was dramatic and evocative.
Mr. Brennan congratulated former Minister, Avril Doyle, his predecessor as Chairperson of the Commemoration Commitee, under whose stewardship the project came to fruition.
The Minister also congratulated Mayo County Council and the Murrisk Development Association for their work in securing a site for the Famine Memorial. He said he was particularly pleased to welcome Mr. Namanga Ngongi, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme.
WELCOMED
The President President Mary Robinson welcomed the IRA ceasefire, which came into operation at midday on Sunday, and praised both sides of the political divide in northern Ireland for their leadership in bringing it about.
In an unscripted address , Mrs. Robinson called for a new era of openeness and generosity on the whole island of Ireland.
The President was introduced by the outgoing chairperson of Mayo County Council, Mr. Pat McHugh who was carrying out his last official function as chairman.
To Mr. McHugh fell the honour of inviting the representatives of the Churches: Fr. Padraig O'Connor, Roman Catholic Church; Joan C. Johnson of the Religious Society of Friends; the Rev Ian Henderson, Methodist Church; the Rev Gary Hastings, Church of Ireland and the Rev John Scott, Presbyterian Church to commence the Inter Denominational Service.
At the end of the President's address, Eamon Walsh, Uileann Piper, played a haunting lament for those who perished from famine and hunger and the President laid a wreath in their memory at the base of the monument.
Following the minutes silence, Westport Town Brass Band played the National Abnthem and the President was escorted from the memorial followed by the officiating clergy.
It was a proud day for the 2nd Mayo (Westport) Scout Group who also participated in a Guard of Honour and for local senior citizens Norah Reilly and James Hoban who greeted the President on arrival.
The commissioning and installation of the sculpture, which is the single largest casting in bronze ever carried out in Ireland, was managed by the Office of Public Works.
The site for the sculpture was provided by Mayo County Council. Cuimhneachan Ghorta Cruach Phadraig, Murrisk Development Association and the Murrisk community project co-operated fully with the project.
The Office of Public Works carried out site preperation works consisting of a foundation for the sculpture, paths, seats, bridges, lights, access etc.
The Office of Public Works will maintain the sculpture and Mayo County Council will maintain the site which was made available by James Fair in honour of his parents , Seamus and Brigid.
