National Famine Commemoration reflected very well on Edgeworthstown and Longford

Civic leaders believe the staging of The National Famine Commemoration in County Longford will have many positive benefits beyond the day itself.

The focal point of the national day of remembrance took place in The Green in Edgeworthstown last Sunday. The public ceremony was broadcast on the RTÉ News Now channel.

The National Famine Commemoration provided an opportunity for the people of Longford and surrounding counties to honour the memory of those who perished or sought escape to a new life abroad during the an Gorta Mór.

It was the very first State Commemoration to take place in County Longford. Featuring military honours and a wreath-laying ceremony the remarkably sunny day juxtaposed the dark period of Irish history it commemorated.

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“We're delighted to be able to host this in Longford, but it was ultimately Minister Martin's department who decided that they would host it in Longford this year,” Longford County Council CE, Paddy Mahon, revealed at the event.

Preparations were co-ordinated by a committee comprised of members of The Department of Defence, the Diplomatic Corp, Department of the Taoiseach, The Department of Tourism, Culture, Art, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, members of An Garda Síochána and local authority staff.

“We made a submission based around Edgeworthstown. We had a lot of work to do ourselves, but with Minister Martin's department, along with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Office of Public Works, and the Department of Defence we made sure that all the plans were put in place for the State occasion, and as you can see it went off very very well.”

PICTURES | Sun shines as eyes of nation on Longford and Edgeworthstown for National Famine Commemoration

Mr Mahon believes that showcasing the county in such a positive manner may have long term financial benefits for the area: “It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase our town here in Edgeworthstown, but also our county.

“There are between 60 and 70 members from the diplomatic corps, many of whom have already come to visit us here in Longford, in attendance. This gives an opportunity to establish links with that diplomatic community that should have its own positive benefits for the county in the future.”

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Colm Murray, praised the local community for making the day so successful: “In the first place it was great to get a national commemoration in Longford, but I have to commend the community in Edgeworthstown and all of the staff in Longford County Council and the department for their work to organise the event, they really hit the nail on the head.

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“Everything was perfect on the day. The event was so well organised. The town looked absolutely resplendent in the sunshine. I think it reflected very well on Edgeworthstown, and on Longford and our ability to do things very well.”

The day was an exposition of local heritage and culture: “We have a significant amount of musical history, a significant amount of poetic history and I think that was all on show today.

“When we went on the tour of the Maria Edgeworth Centre, there were a number of historical artefacts shown to the Taoiseach, items collected by the group dedicated to the preservation of local history. We really had a great opportunity to show off what we have to offer.”

Cllr Murray hopes the event will not be the last of its kind: “I hope it's just the first of many occasions that we get to do that.”

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