From noon tomorrow (Friday May 11th), schoolchildren across Ireland will hold a minute's silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Great Famine.

Primary and secondary establishments will take part in the national tribute, as a mark of respect for those who suffered between 1845 and 1852.

Minister for arts, heritage and the gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan asked children to take the time to pause and think about famine and hunger worldwide.

He said: "In pausing to remember the past, we also remain aware of world hunger and the issues around the shortage of food which affect so many parts of our world today."

The minister added that the Great Famine shaped Irish attitudes towards the global issue and is the basis for the nation's commitment to providing humanitarian aid to countries in need.

Around one million people are estimated to have died during the famine, which was caused by potato blight, while a further million emigrated in a bid to escape this fate.

Written by Donal Walsh

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