I had a blogger from Spain contact me during the week to say he was staying in Sligo and couldn’t work out how to get into the Famine Graveyard, I met him yesterday and showed him the entrance, he was sad by what he saw. Last year I did a blog about it to say the main gate has been locked and the only way in now is through St. John’s Hospital, You can read that blog post here.
Myself and Joe McGowan from Sligo Heritage have been into the hospital a few times to see if the bins could be moved as they are against the wall made from stones from the workhouse and also blocking the plaque. A year on nothing has changed.
To the person who said this to me: ‘You should count yourself VERY lucky indeed that you have so little to worry you’ – it’s a shame you didn’t bother to find out more about me before you made such a statement. In your world maybe we should just sit back and do nothing.
Magnumlady Blog 
It is appalling and we need to take the next step. Thank you for exposing this.
The Sligo Champion contacted me Michael so we’ll see what happens.
Thats really disappointing that those bins are positioned there – and that the main gates are (presumably) still locked. I would imagine that the Famine Graveyard would be an important part of Sligo heritage and the history of the community. It is a pity it seems to be accorded so little respect.
Yes the main gate is still locked, no sign to tell people how to get in.
Well done for highlighting this horribleness. Hopefully, it will ignite some much-needed action.
I hope so Jean, so far I’ve had a few people telling me I’m over reacting.
Over-reacting! What an excuse for inactivity and negation of a past that may not be beautiful but which is about real people, perhaps any of our ancestors.
That’s exactly what I think. These poor people suffered in live, it’s such a shame they aren’t showned the respect they deserve.
My sister and I visited Sligo, where our ancestors originated from in the 1860’s, and had a very hard time finding the entrance. Thanks to your blog, which we used to find our way around Sligo, we knew to go in by the rubbish bins. The bins smelled so bad that I took a photo of my sister holding her nose as we went in.
I hope you enjoyed your trip to Sligo Jody. Hopefully if you come back again things may have changed.
It’s shocking that nothing has changed in a year. Also, if that is the prevailing attitude, it’s hardly a surprise that a beautiful place like Sligo is so far behind other places in terms of tourism.
It’s a shame because Sligo is doing so well with tourism lately and yet this still continues.
I’m the Spanish blogger and I would like, once again, to thank you for your kindness being there and going along with me to the Graveyard. I told you I really believed that Irish people do care about their heritage and this situation (not only the locked gate, or the bins, but also the displacement of the gravestones, for example) showed no respect at all for so many countrymen and countrywomen who suffered one of the worst periods in Irish history, a genuine Holocaust. Poor the people who forget their past and only live in the present… Keep on fighting, Val!
I’ll keep fighting. It’s wrong on so many levels and I hope it changes soon. I also hope you enjoyed the rest of your holiday and that this hasn’t put you off Sligo or Ireland.
Be sure it hasn’t!!
Val,
I agree with Fertxu, keep up the good fight and do not let the “Haters” deter you.
This is an important matter. It should not be taken lightly. Those that want to make sad comments like someone is “overreacting” in pointing this disgrace out – perhaps they should be asked what they would do if this was on their (Grandparents- Ancestors) graves?
That should make them realize this year-old disgrace is intolerable. To have the Gate locked is bad enough, as any concerns about theft could be deterred by one wireless Web-camera on 24/7 cost around 20 Euros). The Bins can easily be wheeled somewhere else and it is shocking given the posts back when this started that they are still there.
Its obvious the HSE does not care – time to replace some people in such positions!
SMurphy
I’m ignoring the ‘haters’. I’d rather try and do something about situations like this than sit back and do nothing but knock people who care.
It would be nice to be able to visit Famine Graveyard to remember the dead from the famine years ago. Sadly in today’s world not all in society has the same respect as others, like vandalism might happen to the famine grave yard, so that is why the gates have to be locked to protect famine grave yard. There could be security at the famine grave yard for protection, like other place have protection against vandalism and crime and then the gates could be opened during set times in the day and locked when nice visitors are not visiting famine grave yard.
If Famine Grave Yard had security protection the gates could be opened at set times in the day. Nice visitors could then visit Famine Grave Yard. Most places have security protection against vandalism and crime in today’s world sadly.
It is nice for world society to have an interest in heritage. Heritage and tourism can help to create jobs and help to create a less stressful and happy atmosphere in society. Protection and security is very important in society.