Northern Ireland

Walkers stride out to remember Famine and raise money for charity

Some of those who took part in the 'hunger walk'
Some of those who took part in the 'hunger walk' Some of those who took part in the 'hunger walk'

A WALK to commemorate the impact of the famine in Ulster, and to raise money for people suffering from hunger today, took place in Belfast on Saturday.

The cross-community 'Walk for Hunger', which was open to everyone, was organised by Bredagh GAC and Ballynafeigh Cultural Society, which has links to the Apprentice Boys.

Participants included representatives of charities Concern and Christian Aid which will share the proceeds of the event.

The walk began in north Belfast at Clifton House, built in the 1770s for the poor and destitute, proceeding down Frederick Street and passing the old Society of Friends' alms house and the site of the Belfast General Hospital.

It ended at Donegall Quay where walkers were reminded of the contribution of Dr James Murray who cared for several thousand patients during the years of the fever epidemic associated with the famine from 1846 to 1851.

Organiser Frank Costello said one of the aims of the walk was to highlight "our shared history" and remind people that famine affected parts of Ulster as much as it did the rest of Ireland.