Historical commemoration to take place in Callan this week

The annual Famine Walk from the Workhouse in Callan to the Pauper Graveyard in Cherryfield will be held on Friday.

The walk will begin from the Workhouse at 7pm, with everyone warmly invited to join.

A short ceremony will be held at Cherryfield, offering a moment of reflection and remembrance, later there will be music, song and chat.

Cherryfield itself holds a unique significance within the local landscape.

Once marked by an abundance of cherry trees, the graveyard stands as a sacred testament to the region’s darkest days, the Great Famine (An Gorta Mhór) of 1845-1852, the only famine of its scale ever to happen in Europe.

Here, it is believed that up to 5,000 souls, many of whom perished in the overcrowded Workhouse, found their final rest.

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The famine memorial, commissioned by Action from Ireland, now anchors this place of memory and reflection, offering a quiet space for visitors to contemplate the hardships endured by previous generations.

Thanks to thoughtful improvements made by the County Council, the laneway leading to Cherryfield has become a well-trodden route, especially popular among walkers and runners.

During the pandemic, its paths provided solace and escape for families and individuals alike, reinforcing Cherryfield’s role as both a refuge and a reminder, a living, breathing piece of Callan’s collective history.

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