The Taoiseach has paid tribute to all those who died in the Great Famine in Strokestown this afternoon.
Micheal Martin commemorated all those who suffered, and expressed solidarity with nations who currently struggle with hunger.
Ukraine lost millions to a famine in the 1930s, which some historians believe was a man-made genocide to quash a Ukrainian independence movement.
Speaking from the County Roscommon location The Taoiseach says our two nations have a common history.
“It is impossible for us to imagine the feelings of hopelessness, anger and loss experienced by those who suffered through the Famine years. However, one of the most appalling aspects of the history of the Famine period is the knowledge that so much of the suffering was avoidable.
Throughout our history the victims of the Great Famine have called on us to help their modern day counterparts in their time of need and generations of Irish people have responded to that call.
As we come together to honour the victims of the Great Famine - those who died, those who were forced to emigrate and those who suffered and survived, we also recall that the people of the Ukraine who now need our help, have their own history of hunger.
