2026 National Famine Commemoration

On the afternoon of 17 May, under cloudy skies with intermittent rain, the National Famine Commemoration ceremony was held at the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna, County Galway, Ireland.

Following the opening remarks by Patrick O'Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, an Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD delivered the keynote address. Members of the diplomatic corps and other local representatives in attendance paid tribute to the victims of the Great Famine that struck Ireland in the nineteenth century.

This was followed by an introduction to Portumna, by the Cathaoirleach of County of Galway, Councillor David Collins, together with performances of poetry, song, and music relating to the Famine. Finally, the ceremony included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and planting of a tree by an Taoiseach Micheál Martin, assisted by pupils from St Brendan's National School Portumna, the laying of wreaths by an Taoiseach, the Minister for Culture, and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as a moment of silence observed by all attendees. The ceremony concluded with a performance of the Irish national anthem by the Band of the Irish Defence Forces.

Representing the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu and Mrs MIYAGAWA attended the ceremony and conveyed their greetings and gratitude to Minister O'Donovan and other Irish people involved in organising the event.