In May 1847 during the Great Irish Famine 1,490 tenants from Strokestown Park estate were ordered to leave their homes and were escorted on foot by Bailiff Robinson along the length of the Royal Canal to Dublin, from where they travelled on the open deck of a packet steamer to Liverpool. Those that survived later boarded so-called coffin ships and crossed the Atlantic. Many didn’t make it.
Tomorrow I will attempt to replicate the journey from Strokestown to the Dublin docks, around 167km on foot. I will try walk the entirety of the National Famine Way in just 4 days, that’s approximately one marathon every day.
I set up a donations page (Medical Aid for Palestinians) and, thanks to the generosity of friends, family and followers, quickly reached my target of €1,000. In fact, donations currently stand at 156% of original target, more than 1 euro for each of the 1490 “Strokestown Missing”. I don’t plan on changing the target but donations are still open. If you would like to donate or share, please click Here .
That’s all for now. Updates on my trek will be posted on Instagram: @dylan.brennan.lit