International Great Hunger Commemoration
The Irish Memorial of Philadelphia is proud to have been chosen the host of the 2016 International Great Hunger Commemoration. Since 2009, the Irish government has sponsored annual joint commemorations of An Gorta Mór, which led to the deaths of more than a million people in mid-19th century Ireland. One is held in Ireland, the other in a city that opened its arms to some of the more than 1 million refugees who fled Ireland between 1845 and 1852. This Commemoration pays tribute to those who died, suffered or fled the starvation. It also raises awareness of the problem of chronic hunger, which now affects more than 1 billion people worldwide.
On behalf of the Irish Memorial Board, we would like to thank the following:
Minister Heather Humphreys, TD
Consul General Barbara Jones
Secretary General Joe Hamill
Lt. Governor Mike Stack
Mayor James F. Kenney
Prof. Christine Kinealy and all of our Presenters
Hon. Pat Dugan
Our very generous sponsors,
great volunteers and everyone that attended our four-day event.
