It was one of the most devastating times in Ireland's history, so should we have a Great Irish Famine national day to remember it, like the Easter Rising? Some say yes, and it may just happen thanks to a bill noted in Cabinet today.
The proposed date for the Famine commemorative day is the second Sunday in May every year.
“We have a fixed date to commemorate Easter 1916 and one to commemorate all those who died in other wars on behalf of our country. However, when it comes to what is, perhaps, our country’s greatest tragedy; it is somehow deemed not important enough to be marked by a permanent date in our calendar. This is no longer acceptable,” said Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy, who proposed the bill, reports The Journal.
"We need a fixed date for a number of reasons. It will allow everyone to work towards the commemoration, on a yearly basis, and allows schools to make it part of the school curriculum.
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“I feel that setting a fixed and permanent date in our diaries to remember and honour all those lost their lives would be a very positive step,” he said.
The bill will be discussed in the chamber on Thursday.
So what do you think? Do you think we should commemorate the Great Famine?
