NATIONAL FAMINE COMMEMORATION WILL PUT CLONES ON THE MAP

The members of Monaghan Co Council on Monday looked forward in anticipation to this Saturday’s National Famine Commemoration events in Clones.
Pat Treanor complimented all those involved in the preparations for the event, predicting “it will put Clones and Co Monaghan on the map for years to come.”
Co Mayor Seamus Coyle praised the range of events that had been taking place in Clones and other locations in the lead-up to Saturday’s commemoration.
Mayor Coyle said these events had been a great education to him regarding a period of history that had been relatively little discussed.
“The suffering inflicted across communities in Co Monaghan, Co Fermanagh and South Ulster was enormous,” he remarked.
The Mayor praised the organisation that had been devoted to the commemorative events, complimenting in particular Clones Town Manager Adge King and the members of the Co Council staff who were involved.
Mayor Coyle noted Minister for the Arts Jimmy Deenihan had contacted many sporting and community organisations asking them to stand in unison on Saturday at 3 pm with people in Clones in order to commemorate those who had died and suffered in the Famine.
“As Co Mayor I would urge all sporting and voluntary bodies in the county, and the people of the county in general, to stand for one minute at 3 pm on Saturday and remember and perhaps say a prayer for our ancestors,” Colr Coyle stated.
“Many families were totally wiped out of our local communities in this very unfortunate period.”
Clones Town Manager and Co Council Director of Services Adge King said the National Famine Commemoration was a hugely significant event to have in Co Monaghan.
“Every effort is being made in Clones to do justice to it and to make it significant for the town and the county,” Mr King remarked.
He noted that there were 500 invited guests for Saturday’s ceremony, but the event was open to the public and members of the public were welcome and encouraged to attend.
Mr King added that a host of activities had been arranged in and around the commemoration, and other counties had become involved.
Full report in The Northern Standard