'Walk a day in their footsteps': Public urged to join National Famine Way walk

Fri, 01 May, 2026 - 10:54

Eva Osborne

The public are being urged to participate in this year's National Famine Way remembrance walk, whether it's by walking the entire 165km or by just "walking a day in their footsteps".

The remembrance walk aims to spotlight the 1,490 people who left Strokestown, Co Roscommon, in 1847 on an assisted emigration journey to Canada.

While the full journey spans eight days of walking, would-be participants are being told they do not have to do it all, and that "walking one day makes a difference".

The distance walked each day is between 16 and 27km.

Dates and distances are as follows:

Saturday, May 16th - Canadian Wake at Strokestown Park House, Co Roscommon;
Sunday, May 17th - 20km Strokestown to Cloondara;
Monday, May 18th - 25km Cloondara to Ballymahon;
Tuesday, May 19th - 20km Ballymahon to Ballynacarrigy;
Wednesday, May 20th - 19km Ballynacarrigy to Mullingar;
Thursday, May 21st - 25km Mullingar to Hill of Down;
Friday, May 22nd - 16km Hill of Down to Enfield;
Saturday, May 23rd - 20km Enfield to Maynooth;
Sunday, May 24th - 27km Maynooth to Dublin;
Arrival Ceremony - Monday, May 25th - Recommended visit to EPIC and the Jeanie Johnston.

Registration is now open, with flexible options for day walkers and those wishing to take part in longer stages.