Overview
The National Famine Way™ is a 165 km (≈103 mi) linear trail that stretches from the glass‑wall memorial at Strokestown Park in County Roscommon to the Famine Statues on Dublin’s Custom House Quay. It is waymarked with a distinctive yellow arrow on a black background and can be tackled on foot or by bike. Most walkers take 7‑10 days to complete the journey, while cyclists usually finish in 3‑5 days, but the route is deliberately broken into sections so it can be enjoyed in shorter day‑stretches.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 165 km (≈103 mi) |
| Difficulty | Easy (graded ‘Easy’ by Sport Ireland) |
| Format | Linear, waymarked trail |
| Start point | Strokestown House, Strokestown Park (National Famine Museum) |
| Finish point | Dublin Docklands – Custom House Quay (Famine Statues) |
| Waymark | Yellow arrow on black background |
| Primary counties | Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Meath, Kildare, Fingal, Dublin |
| Typical walking time | 6‑10 days |
| Typical cycling time | 3‑5 days |
The trail is book‑ended by two award‑winning museums: the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park and EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin. Between them, the bronze shoe way‑markers, a free digital app and a passport‑style guide turn a long walk into a living history experience.
History & Background
In May 1847, 1,490 tenant families from the Strokestown estate were evicted by their landlord, Major Denis Mahon, and forced to march to Dublin. From there they boarded ships bound for Liverpool and onward to Canada, the United States and other destinations. Half of the emigrants perished on the treacherous Atlantic crossing, earning the vessels the grim nickname “coffin ships”.
The National Famine Way was conceived to keep their memory alive. Its most recognisable symbol – a pair of bronze children’s shoes – was cast from a pair of 19th‑century shoes found bound together in the roof of a cottage on the estate. More than 30 such sculptures now line the route, each linked to an audio‑visual story accessed via a free mobile app. The app follows the fictionalised diary of 12‑year‑old Daniel Tighe, written by award‑winning author Marita Conlon‑McKenna, and provides contextual history, video interviews and QR‑linked archives at every shoe.
The trail was officially launched in 2019 and has since expanded into the Global Irish Famine Way, a 40 000 km network of bronze‑shoe markers that now reaches the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, South Africa and Australia.
What to See & Do
Bronze Shoes & Storytelling
Each shoe acts as a silent storyteller. Tap the app at a shoe to hear Daniel’s voice, learn about a specific family (the Quinns, the Tighes, etc.) or discover a local landmark such as the Iron Age Corlea Trackway (a 148 BC oak plank road) or the Mullingar Workhouse – one of the best‑preserved famine‑era workhouses in Ireland.
Key Heritage Sites
- Strokestown Park Glass Wall – a striking glass memorial that marks the trailhead and commemorates the 1,490 emigrants.
- Strokestown Church of the Immaculate Conception (1860) with its rose‑window and colonnaded nave.
- Scramogue Church / Ballykilcline – site of the 1840s Crown Rent Strike.
- Bog Side – a reminder of the desperate living conditions that forced families onto the road.
- Tarmonbarry – a Shannonside village whose name means “Berach’s sanctuary”.
- Clondra (Richmond Harbour) – where the Royal Canal meets the River Shannon.
- Killashee & Sliabh Bawn – the last view of the Strokestown hinterland for many emigrants.
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre – Europe’s largest Iron Age trackway, accessible by a short 750 m walk from the trail.
- Mullingar Harbour & Workhouse Loop – a 3 km detour showcasing a massive 19th‑century workhouse complex.
- Hill of Down (County Meath) – a historic railway hub opened in December 1847, the same month the famine emigrants were on the road.
- Enfield Famine Pot – a heritage‑styled carriage‑stop sculpture.
- Kilcock Harbour & Larchill Arcadian Gardens – the only near‑complete “Ferme Ornée” in Europe.
- Maynooth Harbour & Carton House – home to Ireland’s first seminary (1795) and a grand ducal estate.
- Leixlip Castle – a medieval stronghold with limited public opening hours.
- Clonsilla Church of Ireland – notable for its 1937 Evie Hone stained‑glass window.
- Castleknock & Ashtown Locks – former textile mill sites that powered the canal.
- Glasnevin Cemetery O’Connell Tower – a visual reminder of the political climate during the famine.
- Croke Park – Ireland’s third‑largest stadium, with a museum and historic ties to the 1947 All‑Ireland Final played in New York to mark the famine centenary.
- Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship – a replica of the 19th‑century emigrant vessel, now a visitor experience.
- Rowan Gillespie’s Famine Sculptures – contemporary bronze works that bookend the trail at Custom House Quay.
The Official Pack & Passport
Walkers can purchase an Official Pack that includes:
- A Passport & Guidebook for stamping at over 30 locations (one stamp per county).
- A Ship Ticket representing a specific famine family.
- A Certificate of Completion awarded at EPIC in Dublin.
- An End‑of‑Trail Booklet detailing the families’ onward journeys.
Stamps are collected at designated stations; the final stamp is placed at the Irish Family History Centre behind EPIC’s shop.
Practical Information
The trail is self‑guided; the free National Famine Way App (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play) provides GPS‑enabled navigation, audio stories and links to nearby attractions. The app can be downloaded directly from the official website.
Accommodation – Because the route passes through numerous towns (Strokestown, Cloondara, Ballymahon, Mullingar, Maynooth, etc.), a wide range of B&Bs, guesthouses and hotels are available. The official site strongly recommends booking in advance, especially during the summer months.
Maps – Detailed PDF maps are hosted on the National Famine Way website (Map 1 Strokestown → Garryglas, Map 2 Garryglas → Cloondara, …, Map 17 M50 → Ashtown → River Liffey). OSI discovery series sheets 33, 40, 41, 48, 49 and 50 also cover the route.
Waymarking – Yellow arrows on a black background guide walkers along country lanes, canal towpaths and quiet village streets. Bronze shoes are spaced roughly every 5 km, making them easy reference points.
Contact & Further Details
- Website: https://nationalfamineway.ie/
- Phone: +353 (0)71 963 3013
- Email: nationalfamineway@gmail.com (via the “Contact” link on the site)
- Grade: Easy (suitable for families and casual walkers)
- Length: 168.6 km (Sport Ireland listing) – the official figure is 165 km.
- Typical walking time: 6 days (as per Discover Ireland) – many choose 7‑10 days to allow for rest and exploration.
Accessibility – The trail follows public rights‑of‑way, canal towpaths and village streets. Some sections (e.g., the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre) require a short walk on uneven ground; visitors with limited mobility should check opening times and accessibility information on the venue’s own website.
Getting There – The start point at Strokestown House is reachable by car via the N5 and by bus from Athlone or Roscommon town. The Dublin finish is easily accessed by public transport (Dublin Bus, Luas, DART) from Custom House Quay.
Seasonality – The trail is open year‑round. The official website posts updates on any temporary closures (e.g., canal maintenance) and on special events such as the annual National Famine Way Remembrance Walk (nine‑day commemorative journey) and the Roadshow Events held each spring.
Safety – While the route is largely traffic‑free, walkers should remain aware of canal bridges and occasional road crossings. The app provides real‑time alerts for any known hazards.
Beyond Ireland – For those interested in the wider diaspora, the Global Irish Famine Way extends the bronze‑shoe concept to sites in Liverpool, Canada, the United States and beyond. Details are available on the National Famine Way website under the “Global Irish Famine Way” section.
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a long‑distance walker, or simply a traveller seeking a moving narrative woven through Ireland’s heartland, the National Famine Way offers a uniquely reflective journey that connects past hardship with present resilience.
Useful Links