Chicago Gaelic Park has been announced as the host of Ireland's International Famine Commemoration 2025.Chicago Gaelic Park
Ireland's International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine will be hosted in Chicago this year, Ireland's Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, Patrick O’Donovan TD, announced on Friday, October 17.
The commemoration will take place on Sunday, November 2, at Chicago's Gaelic Park, the site of Chicago's Famine Memorial.
The event is a collaboration among Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Consulate General of Ireland in Chicago, and the host community.
Minister @podonovan has announced that the 2025 International Famine Commemoration will take place in Chicago on 2 November 2025.
D’fhógair an tAire @podonovan inniu go mbeidh Cuimhneachán Idirnáisiúnta an Ghorta Mhóir ar siúl i Chicago ar 2 Samhain.
📷https://t.co/TW46OfgBfo pic.twitter.com/kSuvdxl1p5
— Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (@DeptCultureIRL) October 17, 2025
Previous sites outside of Ireland that hosted the International Famine Commemoration include Phoenix, Melbourne, Philadelphia, New Brunswick in Canada, New Orleans, Sydney, Boston, New York City, Liverpool, and Toronto.
Meanwhile, Ireland's National Famine Commemoration is hosted in a different spot each year; Kilmallock in Co Limerick was this year's host in May.
Ireland's Department of Culture, Communications and Sport said on Friday that Chicago's Gaelic Park, which is marking its 40th anniversary this year, is a cornerstone of the Southside Irish community and is widely recognised as a cultural and spiritual hub for the Irish diaspora.
"The venue provides a particularly meaningful setting for this year’s remembrance, connecting Ireland’s history with the generations of Irish people who built their lives in Chicago," the Department said.
As an International Famine Commemoration, the event will follow the established format of speeches from Minister O’Donovan and Vice President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Patricia Theresa Flynn.
The event will conclude with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial.
The Department added that there will be "a strong community focus," including local creative and artistic elements that will be reflective of the host community.
Minister O’Donovan said: "It is a profound honour to join with the Irish community in Chicago to remember those who endured, and those who were lost, due to An Gorta Mór.
"Gaelic Park, with its deep ties and its many years preserving and promoting Irish heritage is a most fitting location for this commemoration.
"This event is an opportunity to reflect not only on the hardship of the past, but also on the resilience of our people and the remarkable contributions of the Irish community in Chicago and beyond."
What is Ireland's International Famine Commemoration?
Speaking in the Dail in July, TD O'Donovan said: "The International Famine Commemoration was developed in 2009 by the National Famine Commemoration Committee, whose main objective is to consider the most appropriate arrangements for the annual commemorations of the Great Irish Famine.
"The aim of the International Famine Commemoration is to create an opportunity for the diaspora to collectively remember all those who suffered, died, or were forced to emigrate due to An Gorta Mór.
"The Commemoration also acknowledges and celebrates the significant contributions of those who emigrated and of their descendants abroad."