Ireland's National Famine Commemoration to be hosted in former Galway workhouse this Sunday

Ireland's National Famine Commemoration will be hosted at the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna, Co Galway, on Sunday, May 17.

The Irish Workhouse Centre, located within the historic Portumna Workhouse complex, is one of the most complete workhouse sites still in existence in Ireland.

Hosted in partnership with the Office of Public Works, Galway County Council, this is the first time the State Commemoration has taken place in Co Galway.

Ireland's Department of Culture, Communications and Sport says the National Famine Commemoration is an annual State event that honours the memory of those who suffered, died, or were forced to emigrate during An Gorta Mór, the Great Hunger.

"It provides an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and recognition of the profound impact this period had on Ireland and its people," the Department says.

"It invites us to pause and remember a defining period in Ireland’s history with dignity and respect.

"It is a time to honour the resilience of those who endured immense hardship, to reflect on the legacy of the Famine at home and across the global Irish diaspora, and to reaffirm our shared values of compassion, community, and remembrance.

"Through collective reflection, we ensure that the experiences of those who lived through this tragic period are neither forgotten nor diminished. Their stories continue to shape our understanding of identity, migration, and humanity."

The National Famine Commemoration was established in 2008 and rotates by province on an annual basis. The selection of Portumna was made by the National Famine Commemoration Committee, following a call to the local authorities in Connacht in September.

About the Portumna Workhouse

The workhouse system was introduced in Ireland under the Poor Law (Ireland) Act of 1838, modelled on the English system. It aimed to provide indoor relief to those unable to support themselves. Inmates received food and shelter in exchange for labour, but conditions were deliberately harsh to discourage dependency. Families entering the workhouse were segregated by gender and age, with only children under two allowed to remain with their mothers.

The Portumna Workhouse was established in 1852 as part of the Poor Law Union system introduced in Ireland in response to widespread poverty and the devastation of the Great Irish Famine (1845–1849). It was designed by George Wilkinson, the architect responsible for many of Ireland’s workhouses, and built on a nine-acre site north of Portumna town. The facility was constructed to accommodate 600 inmates.

Although Portumna Workhouse opened after the worst years of the famine, its creation was a direct response to the crisis. The famine had overwhelmed existing workhouses, leading to gross overcrowding, disease, and mass deaths. The Portumna facility became a vital resource for the destitute population of southeast Galway, serving as a grim lifeline for many years.

The site featured a T-shaped layout, with separate blocks for men, women, and children, a hospital wing, chapel, and dining hall. The workhouse bell regulated daily life. The buildings, many of which remain, were constructed with high walls and barred windows, emphasising the institution’s austere nature.

Patrick O’Donovan T.D., Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, and Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, said that it was with "a deep sense of solemnity and respect" that he was able to announce Portumna as the location for this year's National Famine Commemoration.

"The Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna stands on a site of immense historical significance, a place that bears direct witness to the hardship, loss, and upheaval experienced arising from An Gorta Mór," the Minister said.

"As one of the best-preserved workhouse complexes in the country, it offers a uniquely fitting setting for reflection on one of the most defining and tragic periods in our nation’s history.

"I have been deeply moved by the impact of this solemn event on local communities and we look forward to working closely with Galway County Council, the Irish Workhouse Centre and the people of Portumna and East Galway."

Program highlights for Sunday's event include official addresses by O'Donovan and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, as well as participation by local representatives and musical and cultural performances.

As in previous years, the programme will include military honours, culminating in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of all those who suffered or perished during the Great Irish Famine.

Sunday's event is free to attend and open to the public, though advance registration via Eventbrite is required to ensure access due to limited capacity at the venue.

The National Famine Commemoration will also be available to view live on the RTÉ News Channel and online for audiences in Ireland and abroad on the RTÉ Player.