The National Famine Way annual Remembrance Walk begins on Sunday, May 17th. Members of the public are invited to walk the entire 165km or to ‘walk a day in their footsteps’ – a powerful and accessible way to remember the 1,490 people who left Strokestown in County Roscommon in 1847 on an assisted emigration journey to Canada.
While the full journey spans eight days of walking, the focus this year is simple: you don’t have to do it all, walking one day makes a difference. The distance walked each day is between 16 and 27km.
Communities along the route will welcome walkers throughout the week, creating moments of connection, conversation, and shared remembrance. To walk even a short distance is to take part in something much bigger. It is a shared act of remembrance and a chance to reflect, to connect with place, and to honour the lives of those who made this journey under very different circumstances.
On the night before the walk begins (Saturday, May 16th), walkers are invited to join in the Canadian Wake at the National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park.
This is an immersive evening of storytelling and music, inspired by the traditional gatherings that marked a final farewell before emigration. With candlelight, shared stories, and live music, the Canadian Wake brings people together in a way that is both intimate and deeply moving, a fitting beginning to a week of remembrance. All are welcome.
The upcoming National Famine Way Remembrance Walk is a commemorative experience, not a challenge. Participants can opt to walk one day, join for a stage along the route, or take part in the full journey.
After just one stage on country roads, the route follows the Royal Canal from Clondra in County Longford to Dublin. It is a largely flat and manageable path, making it suitable for individuals, families, and groups.
The Remembrance Walk concludes in Dublin on Sunday, May 24th, with a simple and respectful completion ceremony at EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum.
Walkers will receive their completion certificate and discover the fate of their assigned famine family. This final gathering brings participants together to acknowledge the significance of the walk, connecting the experience of departure in 1847 with the wider story of Irish emigration.
Registration is now open, with flexible options for day walkers and those wishing to take part in longer stages. The cost is €110, including official participation in the Remembrance Walk and associated events, event coordination, a walker’s pack and certification.
Find out more or register at nationalfamineway.ie.
