Ireland commemorates victims of the Great Famine

Inside Europe | 31.05.2008 | 07:05

Ireland commemorates victims of the Great Famine

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:

The so-called Great Famine which devastated Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century was a transforming event for the country.

Caused by the failure of the potato crop during the 1840’s, it resulted in the deaths of around a million people from starvation and disease and lead to one and a half million Irish emigrating. Five years ago Michael Blanch, a Dublin taxi driver, started lobbying for an official annual remembrance day for the victims of the famine. And he’s now one step closer to seeing that aim realized. The Irish government has announced that it’s setting up a group to organize such an event.

Interview: Helen Seeney/Michael Blanch