The National Famine Way Roadshow on its way to Ballymahon in Longford

A brand new National Famine Way™ Roadshow goes on tour during May and June 2025 and is calling to Ballymahon, Co. Longford amongst seven locations along the route of the longdistance trail. Featuring talks and presentations by leading local and international famine historians, this fascinating event will bring a poignant part of our history to life. Appropriately the month of May marks both the anniversary of the mass departure of 1,490 emigrants from Strokestown, Co. Roscommon and the annual National Famine Commemoration.

The Ballymahon event takes place on Tuesday May 20 from 3 to 5pm in Ballymahon Library. There is no admission charge but registration in advance  is requested via nationalfaminewayroadshow@gmail.com.

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

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”.

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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 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.