Culture Minister Josepha Madigan has hailed the medical workers of the famine who, much like their modern day counterparts, served bravely for the people of Ireland in a national health crisis. The National Famine Commemoration was due to take place today in Buncrana Co Donegal, but as a result of the restrictions put in place to combat Covid-19, it was held behind closed doors in St Stephen's Green in Dublin city centre instead. Wreaths were laid by Minister Madigan, who is also Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, on behalf of the Irish people and by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps on behalf of the Diplomatic Community. "This year the National Famine Commemoration was to have been held in Buncrana," she said. "As we confront a pandemic today, let us recall that the Great Famine was a public health emergency in its own right.

Source: Irish Independent May 17, 2020 15:11 UTC