Reenactment of emigrant journeys a success

Re-enactment of emigrant journeys a success


Ciara Galvin

TO COMMEMORATE the 130th anniversary of the Assisted Emigrant Sailings from Blacksod in 1883 to Canada and the US and to raise awareness of the database launch documenting those who used the scheme, a re-enactment of journey took place last Saturday starting in Belmullet.
The Ionad Deirbhile, Information Centre, Eachléim, Blacksod, which has worked in detailing the stories and names of those who emigrated, organised the re-enacted of part of the journey on Saturday last.
Between the years 1883 and 1884 entire families from northwest Mayo. including Achill, Newport, Belmullet and Erris emigrated on steamships from Blacksod Bay bound for Boston and Quebec.
Over 3,300 people left these areas within the space of 15 months.
To mark the Ionad Deirbhile project, which has seen researcher Rosmarie Geraghty transcribe and collect information about the passengers of all 15 boats, locals and tourists attended events throughout the day in both Belmullet and Blacksod.
Speaking to The Mayo News Development Manager of Comharchumann Ionad Deirbhile, Jacqui Uí Mhonachan said they were delighted with the events despite the ‘challenging weather’.
Events on Saturday included an unveiling of a plaque at Elly Bay Beach Car park by Eva Geary from FΡilte Ireland, a re-enactment of a family leaving, and a visit to the commemorative garden at Blacksod.
“The re-enactment of the family leaving was quiet emotional, there were a few tears shed. And there were descendants of families who were on boats. Ninety-five-year-old Grace Grealis from Achill attended events. Grace’s father Michael was seven years old when he left,” explained Ms Uí Mhonachan.
The project was described by Ms Uí Mhonachan as ‘a legacy of The Gathering’.
“It’s a project that will last past 2013 as stories will be constantly added to the database of names of the 3,300 emigrants,” said the Development Manager.
The Assisted Emigration was a scheme by which people in the most deprived areas of Ireland were helped to emigrate to the US and Canada in search of a better life. Known as ‘The Tuke Fund’ it was named after James Hack Tuke, a Quaker who for over 60 years sought to address starvation and deprivation in the west of Ireland.    
Traditional Irish group Atlantic Rhythm assisted in the re-enactment and entertained the crowd with an open-air performance before the walk through Belmullet. Three members of Achill Pipe Band also performed at the commemoration.
Last Saturday’s proceedings were attended by a large number of tourists and residents, including 25 American travel writers.