Residents in Lurgan and surrounding areas are invited to attend a public consultation on a Famine memorial for Lurgan Town Centre at the Jethro Centre on Monday 22 September at 7:00pm.
The Famine memorial will commemorate the lives lost and those who were dispersed over several years as a result of the Famine.
Lord Mayor Alderman Stephen Moutray said, “Feedback from the public will be vital in shaping the commemorative monument to mark the devastating impact of the Famine, which ravaged huge swathes of Europe in the mid-1840s, following the failure of potato crops.
“I invite as many local residents as possible to come along and share their thoughts on proposals to ensure the memorial reflects the impact of the Famine in Lurgan and surrounding areas.”
The Great Irish Famine was a period of mass starvation, disease and emigration that impacted Ireland from 1845 to 1852, caused by potato blight. The Famine resulted in deaths of an estimated one million people and emigration of up to two million more, leading to a significant long-term population decline. It is estimated that Ulster lost 15.7% of its population. Analysis of workhouse deaths in early 1847 illustrates that mortality levels in the Lurgan Union Workhouse represented the highest in Ulster.
The public is invited to attend the Famine memorial public consultation to give views and ideas to commemorate the lives lost during this time.
Local community and voluntary organisations within the Lurgan area are also invited to participate in facilitated workshops on the Famine memorial. For further information, contact Dolores Donnelly, Community Development Officer on 07920405865 or email
