Famine Views

BY LLOYD GORMAN

GOOD WEATHER AND A LARGE CROWD TURNED OUT FOR THE 2021 ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FAMINE COMMEMORATION IN SUBIACO ON SUNDAY MAY 16TH.

An interpretative panel for An Gorta Mór sculpture in Market Square Park was officially unveiled by former mayors of Subiaco, Tony Costa and Heather Henderson. Fred Rea, chairman of the Western Australia Famine Commemoration Committee, said the new panel “completed” the memorial, first unveiled by President Michael D Higgins in October 2017. As well as the fine weather, event goers enjoyed an incredible showcase of Irish creative culture themed around the Famine. Fiona Rea sang her new song ‘An Gorta Mór’, dedicated to the women who fled Ireland for Australia. This haunting number led into a spectacular Irish dance performance taken from The Journey, a production due to be staged in The Regal Theatre in Subiaco later this year. Actor Michael Sheehy then stunned the gathering with his powerful enactment of two very different Famine era characters. Mr Jim Egan read the Famine prayer and Honorary Irish Consulate Marty Kavanagh also addressed the event that was hosted by Tom Murphy. At the end of the ceremony members of the audience were invited to leave flowers at An Gorta Mór memorial.