Irish Defence Forces veterans to pass through Kildare as part of Famine Trail fundraiser

A group of Irish Defence Forces veterans are today (Monday, May 12), setting off on a 170 kilometre Famine Trail march across Ireland, and will pass through County Kildare as part of this trek.

The participants intend to raise funds for the veterans charity, Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann, also known as the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE). It follows on from last year's inaugural 2024 Famine Trail Walk, which also featured a great deal of Defence Forces veteran and was supported by ONE.

The march commenced at 9am this morning from the Strokestown Famine Museum in County Roscommon.

According to the organisers, it is expected that the team will complete the first 23km leg of the journey to Cloondara in County Longford.

The march will take the veterans through six counties over the week, including Westmeath, Meath, and Kildare. It will conclude on Sunday, May 18, 2025 (coinciding with National Famine Commemoration Day) at the Famine Memorial outside the EPIC Museum in County Dublin.

The organisers added that the participants are expected to arrive at the memorial at approximately 3.30 pm, where they will be welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain.

Donations to the fundraiser can be made online, and members of the public are being encouraged to support the participants as they make their way along the route.

In addition, the organisers noted that many veterans "in the 60-plus age bracket" are taking part in the fundraiser.

CEO of ONE and Defence Forces veteran, Cormac Kirwan, said that the charity is "absolutely delighted" to be a part of the fundraiser for the second year in a row.

He continued: "We’re hoping to build on the success of last year’s march and continue raising much-needed funds and awareness for our homeless veterans.

"This event is not only a powerful act of remembrance, but also a symbol of solidarity, resilience, and the ongoing support our veteran community needs and deserves."

"We’re incredibly grateful to everyone taking part and to those supporting the cause along the way," Mr Kirwan concluded.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Famine Trail dates back to 1847, when 227 families were evicted from their homes on Strokestown Estate.

As a result, 1,490 men, women, and children were forced to undertake a gruelling 170 km walk to Dublin in order to start a new life overseas.

It was here that they sailed to Liverpool before being forced to board coffin ships bound for Canada. Over two-thirds of these people tragically lost their lives on the journey over to Canada. 

As for ONE, the group is a registered charity whose primary objective is to "support veterans of the Defence Forces by the provision of accommodation to homeless veterans in its Veterans’ Homes and the provision of other advice and support to veterans, in particular mental health advice".

Donations can be made to the fundraiser here.

For more information on the fundraiser, you can click here.

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