Overview
The National Famine Way™ is a 165 km (approximately 103 miles) linear trail that traces one of the most poignant chapters in Irish history. Starting at the National Famine Museum in Strokestown Park, County Roscommon, the route follows the path taken by evicted tenants in 1847 as they marched toward Dublin. The trail is clearly waymarked with a yellow arrow on a black background and is designed for both walkers and cyclists. Most people complete the full route over 6 to 10 days, but the trail is intentionally divided into manageable sections, making it easy to explore in shorter day trips.
History & Background
In May 1847, Major Denis Mahon, the landlord of the Strokestown estate, evicted 1,490 tenant families. With nowhere to turn, these families began a grueling march to Dublin to board ships bound for Liverpool and onward to Canada and the United States. The Atlantic crossing was perilous; half of the emigrants perished at sea, leading to the grim nickname “coffin ships”.
The trail was established to honour their memory and transform a historical tragedy into an accessible educational journey. Its defining symbol is a pair of bronze children’s shoes, cast from a pair of 19th-century shoes discovered bound together in the roof of an estate cottage. More than 30 of these sculptures are positioned along the route. Each one connects to a free mobile app that features the fictionalised diary of 12-year-old Daniel Tighe, written by award-winning author Marita Conlon-McKenna. Through the app, visitors access audio recordings, historical context, and video interviews that bring the experiences of families like the Quinns and Tighes to life.
Launched in 2019, the initiative has since grown into the Global Irish Famine Way, a network spanning over 40,000 km that places bronze shoe markers in diaspora communities across the UK, North America, South Africa, and Australia.
Walking the Trail
The route is entirely self-guided and follows public rights-of-way, quiet country lanes, and canal towpaths. It passes through seven counties: Roscommon, Longford, Westmeath, Meath, Kildare, Fingal, and Dublin. The terrain is graded as easy by Sport Ireland, making it suitable for families and casual walkers. Cyclists typically cover the distance in 3 to 5 days.
Along the way, the trail is bookended by two major museums. The journey begins at the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park and concludes at EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum in the Dublin Docklands. In between, walkers can pick up an Official Pack, which includes a passport-style guidebook for collecting stamps at over 30 locations, a symbolic ship ticket representing a specific famine family, and a certificate of completion available at EPIC.
Key Stops & Heritage Sites
The route is rich with historical landmarks and local points of interest. Notable stops include:
- Strokestown Park Glass Wall: A striking memorial at the trailhead that commemorates the 1,490 emigrants.
- Scramogue Church & Ballykilcline: The site of the 1840s Crown Rent Strike, a pivotal moment in local resistance.
- Corlea Trackway: A remarkably preserved Iron Age oak plank road dating to 148 BC, accessible via a short detour from the trail.
- Mullingar Workhouse: One of Ireland’s best-preserved workhouse complexes, offering a sobering look at famine-era relief efforts.
- Larchill Arcadian Gardens: Located near Kilcock Harbour, this is the only near-complete “Ferme Ornée” landscape in Europe.
- Carton House & Maynooth Harbour: A grand ducal estate situated near Ireland’s first seminary, founded in 1795.
- Glasnevin Cemetery: A short walk from the trail’s end, the cemetery’s O’Connell Tower provides important political context for the famine period.
- Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship: A full-scale replica of a 19th-century emigrant vessel, now operating as an interactive visitor experience in Dublin.
- Custom House Quay: The official trail terminus, marked by Rowan Gillespie’s contemporary bronze sculptures that mirror the starting point.
Practical Information
Navigation & App: The free National Famine Way app is available on iOS and Android. It provides GPS navigation, audio stories, and links to nearby attractions. Download it before you set out, as mobile signal can be patchy in rural sections.
Maps: Detailed PDF route maps are available on the official website, divided into 17 sections from Strokestown to the River Liffey. Ordnance Survey Ireland discovery sheets 33, 40, 41, 48, 49, and 50 also cover the route.
Accommodation: The trail passes through numerous towns including Strokestown, Cloondara, Ballymahon, Mullingar, and Maynooth. A wide range of B&Bs, guesthouses, and hotels are available, but summer demand is high. Book your stops several weeks in advance.
Waymarking & Accessibility: Yellow arrows on black backgrounds guide the route. Bronze shoes are spaced roughly every 5 km. While the trail is generally accessible, some sections involve canal towpaths and minor road crossings. Visitors with mobility restrictions should check individual venue accessibility and plan routes accordingly.
Getting There & Seasonality: The start at Strokestown House is accessible via the N5 and by bus from Athlone or Roscommon town. The Dublin finish is well-served by Luas, DART, and Dublin Bus. The trail is open year-round, with the best walking conditions typically between April and October. The official site posts seasonal updates, including information on the annual nine-day Remembrance Walk and spring roadshow events.
Contact: For route updates, passport orders, or general enquiries, visit nationalfamineway.ie or call +353 (0)71 963 3013.
Book your accommodation several weeks ahead, download the navigation app before heading out, and allow extra time at the bronze shoe markers to fully absorb the audio stories.