In 1847, a group of people left the Strokestown estate in Roscommon and travelled towards Dublin to emigrate. The National Famine Way retraces that journey; part of its route runs through Longford.
Visit Longford describes the group as 1,490 men, women and children, and identifies about 33.7 km of the modern waymarked route in County Longford. The county sections connect places including Cloondara, Mosstown Harbour, Ballybrannigan Harbour and Abbeyshrule.
The route uses the Royal Canal corridor and brings together stories of displacement, landlord-assisted migration and the later reuse of an industrial transport route for remembrance.
The Bronze Shoes interpretation and accompanying audio present an individualised way to engage with the subject. Such interpretive storytelling should be distinguished from archival quotations by named emigrants.
The route speaks to one particular group of emigrants. The records of Longford’s own Poor Law Union tell a different, equally important story of hunger and relief within the county.
Two connected but different histories
The Famine Way tells the story of the Strokestown emigrants passing through Longford. The workhouse archives document relief administration in Longford itself; together they provide a richer but distinct account of the period.
Select a manageable section
The full National Famine Way is far longer than its Longford portion. Use the official route publisher’s maps to plan an appropriate section; never assume that the whole route is suitable for all abilities.
A reflective heritage route; use official maps rather than these notes for navigation.
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