The Limerick T.D will lead a delegation leaving for Australia today
Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan T.D will represent the government at the 2018 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine at the Famine Rock in Williamstown, Melbourne this Sunday October 28th.
The Limerick T.D will lead a delegation from Ireland who will honour and remember those who emigrated and took to the seas during An Gorta Mór.
He said: “I am delighted and honoured to represent the Government and the people of Ireland at our International Famine commemoration”.
“This is the twentieth annual commemoration ceremony to be held and it is particularly fitting, that this year’s overseas commemoration is held in Melbourne given the strong historical bonds between Melbourne and Ireland”.
“Some of the many thousands of Irish people, our ancestors, who travelled from Ireland between 1848 and 1850 in the hope of a new chance at life, many of them from County Limerick, were processed through the Government Depot in William St. Melbourne”.
“This year’s commemoration represents an opportunity to not only honour the work of the Irish Community in Melbourne in preserving its history ,but also to pay tribute to the memory of those who went before them”.
“I look forward to meeting with some of our more recent emigrants to Melbourne who remain proud Irish citizens”.
“It is important for Irish people all over the world to remember those who suffered and died in what was one of the darkest time in our country’s past”.
Minister O’Donovan will also undertake a series of engagement to promote trade and investment including events with tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce and Educational Institutions.