Dublin's Docklands in County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)
National Famine Way
Sli Nαisiϊnta an Ghorta Mhσir
| | Dublin Fingal Kildare Meath Westmeath Longford Roscommon | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 3, 2025
1. National Famine Way Marker
In late May 1847, at the height of the Great Famine, 1,490 tenants from the Mahon Estate embarked on the gruelling 100 mile (165 km) walk from Strokestown, County Roscommon to Dublin Docks.
They were part of an assisted emigration scheme organised by their landlord, Major Denis Mahon. Untold numbers of the emigrants did not live to see their ultimate destination of Canada. Over half of those who travelled onboard the 'coffin-ships', Naomi and Virginus, died at sea. Many of those who survived the arduous journey succumbed to fever shortly after arrival at Grosse Isle, Quebec. Of the 1,490 who left Strokestown, up to a third never began their hoped-for new life in the New World.
The National Famine Way is a digitally and physically waymarked, 165 km walking trail. This commemorative route connects the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park with Rowan Gillespie's Famine Statues and the Jeanie Johnston replica Famine Ship at Dublin's Custom House Quay. It encourages walkers to follow in the footsteps of the 1,490 tenants, taking the same route they took in 'Black 47' from Strokestown to Clondra and along the banks of the Royal Canal to Dublin Docks.
Their story and the route of the National Famine Way can be found at www.nationalfamineway.ie and www.strokestownpark.ie where you can register to become an Official Walker.
Why not walk part of the Trail and learn more by engaging with the interactive Shoe Sculptures or visit the National Irish Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon or the Jeanine Johnston Famine Ship Replica at Custom House Quay, Dublin?
There you can learn more about the Great Irish Famine/ An Gorta Mσr - the greatest catastrophe of 19th Century Europe.
Bronze Shoes along the Way indicate a story to be told.
Turn towards
this page online
Search - 'National Famine Way'
http://nationalfamineway.ie/
The National Famine Way
This adventurous 165 km cross-country trail follows the Royal Canal as it weaves through country lanes, villages, towns and city. Following the interactive bronze shoe sculptures creates a thought provoking experience on this commemorative walk. The trail is topped and tailed by two iconic museums-'The National Famine Museum' at Strokestown, Co Roscommon and 'The Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship'/'EPIC-Irish Emigration Museum' at Dublin Docklands.
Start/Trailhead: There are two trailheads, as the National Famine Way can be started at either end.
Trailhead 1: Glass Wall Memorial at the National Irish Famine Museum, Strokestown Park House, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon.
Trailhead 2: Famine Statues, Custom House Quay, Dublin, close to the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship and EPIC Emigrant Museum.
Distance: 165 km.
Grade: Easy to suit most people with reasonable level of fitness.
Ascent: Mostly flat along canal towpath, with some very minor ascent in places.
Terrain: Greenway, off-road, walking paths and
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 3, 2025
2. National Famine Way Marker at the Famine Memorial
Estimated Walking Time: 5 to 7 days when completed in one block or interspersed over time.
Waymarking: Trail is waymarked using long distance, trail signage with a yellow man, yellow directional travel arrows and National Famine Way logo.
Points of Interest: The trail is further enhanced with small, brass sculptures of 19th Century child's shoes set on limestone plinths and marked "National Famine Way. Each sculpture is linked to Famine stories in that area-this information can be accessed by connecting to the National Famine Way Website - www.nationalfamineway.ie
Minimum Gear: Suitable clothing, walking shoes, waterproof gear, mobile phone, snacks and fluids.
Services: Services available in Dublin, Maynooth, Leixlip, Kilcock, Enfield, Mullingar, Ballynacargy, Abbeyshule, Ballymahon Clondra, Strokestown and other villages along the route.
Dogs: Dogs on leads and kept under control.
Behaviour Code: Please respect the Environment and other users and take all litter with you.
Management Contact: [email protected]
Website/Additional Information: www.nationalfaminewey.ie / www.strokestownpark.ie
Emergency
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 3, 2025
3. National Famine Way Map on Marker
Erected by Various City and County Councils, EPIC, Strokestown Park, and Others.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1847.
Location. 53° 20.881′ N, 6° 14.996′ W. Marker is in Dublin, Leinster, in County Dublin. It is in Dublin's Docklands. It is on Custom House Quay (Leinster Route 801) 0.2 kilometers west of the Sean O'Casey Bridge, on the left when traveling west. Marker is adjacent to the Famine Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dublin, Leinster D01 Y6C3, Ireland. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Ancient East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Great Irish Famine Victims and Their Canadian Descendants (here, next to this marker); "Famine" (here, next to this marker); Dublin Docklands Landmarks (a few steps from this marker); Human Rights and Poverty Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Human Rights and Poverty Stone (within shouting distance of this marker); Irish Seaman's National Memorial (about 180 meters away, measured in a direct line); Pairc Elizabeth O'Farrell Park (about 180 meters away); S.S. Adela (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dublin.
More about this marker. The opposite (River Liffey) side of the marker is in Gaelic but has been heavily graffittied and is not transcribed.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 6, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
