“That Roscommon County Council appropriately commemorate the victims of An Gorta Mór by devising a heritage development plan to remember the people of Roscommon buried in Bully’s Acre in the townland of  Slevinagee off Antogher Road in the town of Roscommon.”

“That Roscommon County Council appropriately commemorate the victims of An Gorta Mór by devising a heritage development plan to remember the people of Roscommon buried in Bully’s Acre in the townland of Slevinagee off Antogher Road in the town of Roscommon.”

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

There is an existing famine memorial in Roscommon town at the site of the former Workhouse (now Sacred Heart Home) to commemorate victims of the famine.

The National Famine Museum in Strokestown is only 20 km away and this is a highly interactive visitor destination, which addresses and commemorates local and national stories from the famine period. A national famine commemoration day is held annually and locally events can be organised as part of National Heritage Week held in August.

Cllr. Waldron said the site was a sacred one and proposed Fr. Francis Beirne, Parish Priest of Four Roads and Chairman of the Roscommon Cemetery Committee to make a presentation to members on the site.

The Cathaoirleach responded that any presentation to the Plenary meeting should first be considered by the CPG.  Cllr Waldron agreed to bring his proposal to the next CPG meeting.

Cllr. Waldron’s motion was seconded by Cllr. Ward.

Cllr. Leyden, supported the motion, claiming there should be a commemoration of the graves which are unmarked at the site referenced by Cllr. Waldron. She stated we have a responsibility, as a Council, in the knowledge that the graves are in Bully’s Acre, to do something about it.

Cllr. Byrne supported the motion as every old graveyard in the county have people buried from the famine. She suggested this should be done in every graveyard in the county. She also asked if anyone could confirm why this site is called Bully’s Acre as there is a Bully’s Acre in Elphin also.

Cllr. Dineen suggested that the CPG should look favourably on the request for the presentation.

Cllr. Ward stated that every case is different in relation to people buried all around the county as a result from the famine. This is a good motion and should be supported.

Cllr. Fallon commented this as an interesting motion and would welcome a presentation from Fr. Beirne as a noted authority on the famine and who has carried out considerable research in this area.

The Cathaoirleach suggested that Cllr. Cummins motion is a good one. He also suggested the erection of a plaque or other commemoration would mean the erection of a plaque on all burial grounds, noting that this may not be feasible and suggested that a policy must be adopted with appropriate criteria agreed and this should be done by the relevant SPC.

Cllr. Leyden again stated that the graveyard needs to be marked and suggested that this should be included in the forthcoming Roscommon Local Area Plan that is currently being prepared.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED that this matter be considered at the cemetery workshop proposed at the last meeting by Cllr Crosby and that Fr. Beirne be invited to attend that workshop to outline what he sees as necessary to commemorate the famine victims around the county as part of the agenda.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Kelly

SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council extend an open invitation to the public regarding information they may have on unmarked graves to attend the forthcoming Cemetery Workshop.

The Chief Executive said it was important to remember people who had died in the famine, which was reflected in the work and function of Strokestown Famine Museum. He cautioned that there are  over two hundred graveyards in the county including Bullys Acres in a number of locations, and on private lands and that is why he agreed with the Cathaoirleach’s suggestion that a policy would be in order on the issue of commemorating famine graves.

Mr. Tiernan also suggested such commemorations should be community led and had the potential to be funded through Municipal District fund. Mr. Tiernan said that arising from the discussion at the Cemetery Workshops, any matters arising could be discussed at the Strategic Policy Committee, noting that the Council also had budgetary constraints to consider.