Irish Defence Forces veterans march 170km famine trail for charity fundraiser

A group of Irish Defence Forces veterans yesterday set off on a 170 km famine trail march across Ireland to raise vital funds for Veterans Charity, Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann / the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE).

Taking place over seven days, the group of veterans will walk all the way from Strokestown to Dublin.

The team will be passing through Longwood and Enfield on Friday.

Donations can be made online, with members of the public encouraged to support participants as they make their way along the route.

​​The march commenced at 8 am yesterday morning from Strokestown Famine Museum, Co Roscommon.

It’s expected the team will complete the first 23km leg of the journey to Cloondara (Longford) where they will stay overnight. The team is expected to arrive at their final port of call, Custom House Quay, in the Dublin City Docklands on Sunday 19th May at 3 pm.

ONE is a registered Irish veterans’ charity that was established to support ex-service personnel. Its primary objective is to support the needs of homeless defence forces personnel by the provision of accommodation in its veteran homes. It also offers counselling services and support to ex-service personnel, through its nationwide network of branches and veterans’ support centres.

Taking part in the fundraiser are veterans Jimmy Fullam, Peter Malone, Peter Downes, Ken Cleary, John Rabbitte, and Hugh O'Neill. After months of preparation, the team is ready to embark on the lengthy seven-day march, supported along the way by a number of Defence Forces members, and US Veteran Lt Col Bryan Bean Ret’d. A team of veterans will support the walkers at various stages of the trail march.

The famine trail dates back to 1847 when 227 families were evicted from their homes on Strokestown Estate in County Roscommon. As a result, 1,490 men, women, and children were forced to undertake a gruelling 170 km walk to Dublin in order to start a new life overseas. It was here that they sailed to Liverpool before being forced to board coffin ships bound for Canada. Over two-thirds died on the journey.

Speaking ahead of the march, Defence Forces Veteran and CEO of ONE, Cormac Kirwan, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be a part of such a fantastic fundraiser. We want to say a huge thank you to the 8 Irish Veterans lacing up their boots this morning and raising money for vital ONE services. Without the continued support of the public, we would not be able to provide the critical support our veterans so desperately need.”

You can find more information on the fundraiser here