THE organisers of a massive Famine commemoration over the June Bank Holiday weekend have been accused of "dancing on the graves of the Famine dead".
The President, Mrs Robinson, and the US President, Mr Bill Clinton (by video), are taking part in the Great Irish Famine Event, along with rock and showbusiness stars. However, the Third World group, AfrI, which is holding its 10th annual Famine walk in Co Mayo this weekend, says the event is "objectionable".
Billed as "a celebration of triumph over disaster", the event claims it will bring 100,000 visitors over the June holiday weekend in the "greatest Irish homecoming event ever".
However, the event has offended groups who feel the one million people who died in the Famine should not be "celebrated" by rock concerts, celebrity gatherings and tourist trails.
"The very idea of a Famine `celebration' is contradictory. This is entirely insensitive. It's like dancing on the graves of the Famine dead," said Mr Joe Murray, of AfrI, the group which originally suggested a Famine commemoration event to the Government.
AfrI is also incensed that the event is supported by the US government. "US military and economic policies have been among the greatest causes of human rights violations and hunger throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America," said Mr Murray.
The trust overseeing the event is chaired by Ms Norma Smurfit, and the patrons include Bono and Gabriel Byrne, as well as leading business figures such as Mr Denis O'Brien and Mr Donald Panoz.
The event, which has received a £10,000 Government grant, is centred on a Homecoming Weekend at the end of this month. On Saturday, May 31st, Gabriel Byrne, Patrick Bergin and Jean Butler will perform in The Gathering in Millstreet, Co Cork. This is described by the organisers as "an exhilarating themed show, a tribute to the Irish spirit through drama, dance, music and cultural reflection".
As the highpoint of the show, the President, Mrs Robinson, will take part in a symbolic candle lighting, joined by video link with President Clinton. On Sunday Van Morrison and The Corrs will be performing at a Homecoming Concert in Millstreet, along with Bob Dylan. The organisers promise it will be "one great big party".
According to Ms Carole Egan, who developed the idea of the event two years ago, the Famine was "the starting point for sending out our greatest gift, the Irish people".
Ms Egan promised the Millstreet events "won't he solemn and terrible".
"A tremendous spirit came from that time and so the event will be quite spirited."
Asked whether the event depoliticised the Famine, Ms Egan agreed. "This is not a political event. We only want to celebrate the triumph of the spirit over adversity."
The US had been incredibly supportive of Irish emigrants and it was only right to acknowledge this, she added.
Asked how much would be raised for charity, Ms Egan was unable to say. However, two thirds of the proceeds to charity will go to The Big Issues Social Initiative and one third to Gorta.
Although the artists appearing in The Gathering are giving their services free, the Homecoming Concert is being run as a commercial operation. One of the acts on the bill, the Hothouse Flowers, has pulled out as its lead singer, Liam O Maonlai, is leading AfrI's famine walk in Louisburgh, Co Mayo, on Saturday.
