The pleasant path above, inviting as it is, was once the terrible journey of nearly 1,500 starving Irish men, women and children, forced off their land during the 19th-century Great Hunger, with the choice of starvation or walking the 165 kilometres to Dublin and a dangerous voyage to Canada.
Their route has now been opened as Ireland’s National Famine Way, a way that begins with country roads and mostly follows canal paths. It’s designed to be walked or cycled by anyone, at any pace, and links the National Famine Museum near its start with the Jeanie Johnston in Dublin, a replica of the emigrant ships. Nearly a third died at sea between Dublin and Quebec.
Visitors at the museum can buy a 14-page passport-styled guide to the route, with space for stamps that can be collected at 27 points along the trail. The Famine Way has been a collaboration between the Museum, Irish Heritage Trust, several other museums and country councils. In all, it represents an investment of almost €3.5 million.
For more information, see the Famine Way website.
