Since 2021, Liverpool Irish Festival has been working on revitalising the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail, which includes The Great Hunger commemoration memorial. Today, the Liverpool Great Hunger Commemoration Committee, Conradh Na Gaeilge Learpholl, Liverpool Irish Centre and its choir, the Deaf Choir in and Movema Dance partner with the Festival to lead a Great Hunger Memorial Service that marks the anniversary of An Gorta Mór (The Great Hunger), lasting 1845-1852 and beyond.
Along with speeches, a Liver Bird performance and a minute’s silence, we’ll sing The Ullaloo together. Commissioned especially for The Great Hunger Memorial in 2024, by local musicians Ian Cantwell and Marty Snape, the Liverpool Irish Centre choir will lead the singing and the Deaf Choir will sign it to us.
“Birds, especially those that migrate or fly high, are often seen as symbols of freedom, migration and hope. In the context of refugees, these symbols take on deeper meaning, representing the journey, resilience, and aspirations of those seeking safety and a new life” - Movema. Linking with our theme of arrivals, we’ll consider those arriving in Liverpool to begin the next stage of their journey, here or abroad.
Everyone is welcome. Please note that this is an outside event, and we may have difficulties with sound if it is rainy or windy. We recommend dressing for the weather and bringing seats or walking aids as needed. This is a standing service of roughly 30-minutes. We won’t have chairs available for everyone. People may gather in advance of the service to welcome the vigil walkers.
These activities have been made possible with funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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