Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs represented the Government at the National Famine Commemoration in Skibbereen, Co Cork on 17th May 2009. The ceremony commemorated all those who suffered loss during the Famine; loss of life, loss of family, loss of home and loss of country.

The event in Skibbereen, Co. Cork commenced with a ceremony in O’Donovan Rossa Park, culminating in the principal formal ceremonial event, the State flag and wreath-laying ceremonies, at Abbeystrewery Cemetery, where some 8,000 to 10,000 famine victims are buried in a mass grave.