Commemorative Events

Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Ceisteanna (659)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

659. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to consider permanently changing the name of the National Famine Memorial Day commemoration to Irish Famine Commemoration Day which would be acceptable to the Unionist community and the title would unite the Irish people home and abroad on the 3rd Sunday in May and bring the day into International standard practice one day for an historical event in a Nations history. [34900/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport

As set out previously, there are no changes proposed to the title of the The National Famine Commemoration.

The title of the Commemoration was raised for discussion at a meeting of the National Famine Commemoration Committee and the view of the committee was that the current title should remain.

In relation to the international commemoration, as Chair of the committee, and Minister with responsibility for both commemorative events, I would also be unable to attend both commemorations. It would also limit government representation which would not reflect the great importance of these events to the committee, to the wider Government, the people of Ireland and our diaspora. In this regard, I note the very successful International Famine Commemoration at which I represented the Government in Cohasset Massachusetts last Sunday 10 May. I will also be in attendance at the National Famine Commemoration in Portumna, Co. Galway on Sunday 17 May.