Mayo students do 'Famine Walk' in memory of those who died in Doolough Tragedy

Students from Mayo school Sancta Maria College Louisburgh have done the 'Famine Walk' in memory of those who died in Doolough Tragedy.

Over 100 students from the school braved the harsh conditions of the Doolough Valley to honour the memory of the 1849 Famine Walk. This the 3rd annual event serves as a solemn tribute to those who perished during the Doolough Tragedy on Friday March 30 1849 during The Irish Great Famine.

Teacher Tom O'Flynn from the College explains, why it is still important, to remmeber the tragedy:

"During the famine, people from Clare Island and Louisburgh were starving and they were told to walk and they'd either be given a ticket to get into a workhouse or they'd be given food. But from their wives out there they were told no to both and they were forced to walk all the way back to Louisburgh starving. Bad enough that they were actually starving because of a failure of the crop, it was the actual weather that killed them in the end. They were actually blown into the lake."

"Three years ago I asked the principal and a few more teachers that it would be lovely to do it with a group of students in school. So 30 students signed up the first year and we raised 1,000 euros for Trocaire and we gave it to the parish Trocaire fund.

Last year we got 70 students to do it and we raised 1,400 euros and this year 130 students have decided, you know, got on board and we have come close to 2,000 euros. So it's gone from strength to strength."

In the lead-up to the event, the students demonstrated their dedication by raising over an impressive €2,000 in sponsorship and counting for Kilgeever Parish Trocaire, a charity that continues to support vulnerable communities today. Their commitment and resilience not only honoured the memory of the famine victims but also contributed to a meaningful cause.