Madam, - I welcome the fact that the Government will finally establish a national commemoration day for the Great Famine, as reported in The Irish Times(July 23rd).
The report outlines an impressive list of people who will make up the committee. The one organisation, however, that has commemorated the Great Famine annually for the last 20 years has not been included. The Afri Famine walk has taken place from Doolough in Co Mayo to Louisburgh every year since 1988, led by such distinguished people as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, John Pilger and Gary Whitedeer of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma among many others. Thousands of people have taken part over the years. Afri has also had famine commemoration events elsewhere and marked famine graves in all four provinces. Is it not strange that Afri is not represented on the Famine Commemoration Committee? Perhaps Minister O'Cuiv could explain his reasons for this. - Yours, etc.,
BARBARA RAFTERY, PVBM,
Presentation Sisters,
Portlaoise,
Co Laois