Belfast has never hosted the commemoration before
Belfast is to make an application to host the National Famine Commemoration in the city in 2027.
Belfast Council has shown an expression of interest to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the Republic of Ireland government.
The National Famine Commemoration was established in July 2008, following a government decision in Dublin to commemorate the Great Irish Famine with an Annual Memorial Day.
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The commemoration, consisting of a community event and solemn ceremony, takes place in each of the provinces of the island of Ireland, on a rotating basis. The 2026 event is scheduled to take place in Connacht.
In April, Belfast City Council adopted a motion from Sinn Féin Councillor Conor McKay proposing City Hall write to the National Famine Commemoration Committee asking that they hold the commemoration in Belfast in 2027.
The commemoration has never been held in Belfast, and has only been held in Northern Ireland once, in Newry in 2015.
The motion stated: “With recent interest in rediscovering the history of the famine in Belfast, we believe that it would be appropriate for this commemoration to take place in Belfast, reflecting on one of the most pivotal and painful chapters of our nation’s history.”
A reply from the RoI Department of Culture, Communications and Sport to Belfast Council states: “The National Famine Commemoration Committee recognises that hunger and suffering knew no border during the dark days of the Famine. Death, starvation and mass emigrations affected most communities on this island and has left a lasting and devastating impact on us as a people. The NFC is an opportunity to remember and ensure we never forget.”
It adds: “Preparations are underway for the 2026 event which is scheduled to take place in Connacht and the following overview of the process may be helpful. In September, the Department wrote to the Chief Executives of every local authority in Connacht requesting an expression of interest to host the National Famine Commemoration. It will be the responsibility of the local authority to demonstrate the suitability of their proposed location for the event.
“This will include highlighting the historical links of the proposed site as well as the capability of the site in terms of access and capacity to host an event of this scale. Local authorities will also be required to detail a support programme of events to raise awareness and complement and enrich the National Commemoration.
“It will be the role of the National Famine Commemoration Committee to consider these expressions of interest and make a recommendation to the Minister. We appreciate your interest in hosting this event in 2027. We will be back in contact in autumn 2026, with the official expression of interest documentation.”
In January 2024 it was revealed a request by Belfast Council to the government of the Irish Republic to host the National Famine Memorial Day 2024 was rejected by Dublin after it emerged only Leinster applications were being accepted – a fact Belfast councillors were unaware of.
At the time SDLP Councillor Carl Whyte described the system of provincial rotation used by the government in the Republic for hosting the Memorial Day as “very annoying.”
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