Bishop Denis Nulty to lead Famine Walk for Heritage Week

Some 32 years since the then Fr Denis Nulty led the first Famine Walk in Mullingar, he now returns as Bishop Nulty to lead the second one from the site of the old workhouse on Saturday next 22 August at 3pm.

The walk will proceed to Robinstown Famine Graveyard following a brief talk on the history of the Workhouse during the Famine by historian Seamus O’Brien.

The Mullingar Famine Graveyard Committee are organising the event, which incorporates the re-enactment of a Famine burial using a retractable coffin.

A geophysical survey is also being carried out by the Discovery Programme with the support of the Heritage Council, and a preliminary report of the survey will be available from the Discovery team after the ceremony in the graveyard.

Famine songs and music will be provided by Roisin Gaffney, whose Hungry Cry was composed after a visit to the graveyard in 2012. Val Connaughton from Moate will also sing some Famine songs and provide the musical accompaniment.

A short talk on the history of the graveyard will round off the evening’s proceedings.