The National Famine Way 👣 Tough Soles

[@toocleanpappas5397]

Mary and Joseph Hennessey left Roscommon and walked down the Royal Canal to a ship that would lead them to America during the Famine. They were my ancestors. I walked the Famine Way in 2022. I have hiked a lot of hard trails before, this trail was physically the easiest I have done. But it was the hardest emotionally. To walk the trail knowing the hardships that your own family went through, their heartbreak to leave their homes. I heard it a ton of times Irish people complaining about Americans saying they're Irish. And I get it. But the Famine Way is a trail I don't think you can appreciate as an Irish person who's family has always lived there. Walking the Way was soul crushing, and also in some ways joyous. To know that finally you're back on the earth where your family came from. To walk and imagine the heartbreak, and turmoil your family must have been going through. And to realize that being back, you're not really wanted or accepted anymore. The Famine Way is a trail I wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who's ancestry comes from Ireland. Though I have one caveat, it's designed to be walked from Strokestown to Dublin. May I suggest walking instead from Dublin to Strokestown. It's my only regret about doing the trail the way I did. In fact I intend on coming back and doing it that way in the future. Walk full circle. While the Irish people may not see you as lost family, let me tell you, you can feel that the Land remembers you, and you can feel her weeping tears of joy to have you home. Thanks to all who worked on making this trail possible, and those who work to maintain it. In some ways, I don't think you can imagine what it means to a lot of us.

[@irelandmyisland]

Just brilliant thank you.

[@andrewmcfarlane5040]

Great video guys. Didn't even know about the National Famine Way. Looks like a lovely walk connected to history.

[@PadraigBerry]

Great video.

[@Buzy_Lizard]

Beautifully documented and presented ❤

[@ToughSoles]

Thank you!