National Famine Way

The National Famine Way is a 165km way marked walking and cycling trail commemorating a heartbreaking walk of forced emigration which took place in 1847 at the height of the Irish famine.

National Famine Way Walkers Royal Canal

National Famine Way

 

The National Famine Way  is a 165km way marked walking and cycling trail commemorating a heartbreaking walk of forced emigration which took place in 1847 at the height of the Irish famine.  It begins at the memorial glass wall at National Famine Museum | Strokestown Park in Roscommon and continues through six counties to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin’s Docklands. The route is marked by more than 30 pairs of bronze children’s shoes.

This emotional trail with captivating layers of history tells the tale of 1,490 famine-stricken tenant farmers and their families who were marched to Dublin by their landlord and forced to emigrate to Canada. The comprehensive official pack includes a passport and a ship ticket for one of the original famine families. Their poignant story evolves along the route, following the experience of one emigrant, 12-year-old Daniel Tighe, through an app with relevant audio and video centred around each pair of bronze shoes. On arrival at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, walkers discover the fate of their famine family and receive a certificate of completion and a comprehensive end of trail booklet.

After the first 20km the National Famine Way is mainly off road, following the towpath along the Royal Canal. The trail is flat, well surfaced and generally accessible for families, casual walkers and cyclists.

Cycling the National Famine Way

For further information please click on one of the links below:

Web

https://nationalfamineway.ie/

www.strokestownpark.ie

 

Social Media Links

Facebook           https://www.facebook.com/NationalFamineWay

Twitter                https://twitter.com/famineway

Instagram          https://www.instagram.com/nationalfamineway/

 

Contact Details

Tel: +353 (0)71 963 3013

Email: [email protected]

Bronze Shoes along the National Famine Way