President Michael D Higgins will join hundreds of attendants at an annual ceremony remembering those who died in the Famine.  

The event is due to start in Milford at 2pm and will include military honours and a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of those that lost their lives. 

President Higgins will inspect the 28th Infantry Battalion Guard of Honour before addressing assembled guests. 

Minister of State Jack Chambers will represent the Government at the ceremony today.  

“We’re acknowledging and recalling the suffering and the death, and the anguish borne by so many Irish people during that difficult time in our history,” he told Newstalk. 

“Donegal in particular had period during the Famine and so many people with Donegal left during the Famine.” 

Milford Workhouse Cemetery Plaque honouring those who died working during the Famine.

The Fianna Fáil TD said it is essential for younger generations to also attend these ceremonies and remember the Famine.  

“It's hugely important that every generation of young people understands and can see the huge suffering, the death and the anguish faced by so many Irish people during the Famine period,” he said. 

Mr Chambers said it is also important for local communities to have the opportunity to honour victims of the Famine.  

“In Milford, we've a lot of local groups in terms of music and language groups and a huge amount of cultural involvement with the commemoration,” he said.  

Commemorations

The ceremony is organised by the Commemoration Unit in the Department of Culture. 

The Unit has ensured the “core focus” of the commemoration is remembering the suffering and loss that occurred in 19th century Ireland.  

“That's something that the Commemorations Unit is going to do, very sensitively with everybody involved,” he said.