As one of Wales greatest friends, Sean MacReamoinn, once said to spend St Patrick’s Day in a 
cemetery seems like the cruellest of Irish jokes!
For the last 8 years the Celtic Cross Memorial (made from Irish limestone and Welsh stone) at Cathays Cemetery in Cardiff has been a focus point on St Patrick’s Day to remember those who died in the Irish Famine 1845-1849.
Over one million people died and over a million people emigrated from Ireland. Many of the immigrants flocked to Cardiff, the Valleys and Newport.
In April 1847 the Monmouthshire Merlin reported: “A poor Irish woman was this week begging from door to door with the corpse of an infant in her arms. Several cargoes of Irish people have been sent back to Ireland from this port during the week. Hundreds yet remain in a starving condition; and Hill Street, in which the Relieving Officer resides, is daily crowded by whole families, who present the appearance in general, of famished and diseased men, women and children.”
The Memorial is also a tribute to all Irish people and their descendants who have lived and died in Wales.
A St Patrick’s Day message from the Irish President was read out by the Irish Counsel General in Wales. David Burns, a son of Newtown, Cardiff’s former Little Ireland, sang an emotional rendition of Hard Times – a reminder of the hardship faced by Irish immigrants in America in the 19th Century.
Cor Cochion Caerdydd were impressive singing the Irish Anthem (in Gaelic!) as well as a rousing rendition of ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ after the laying of the wreaths.
The commemoration was also an opportunity to reflect on the famines which are happening around the world today. Last year the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation warned that 11 million people in Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia were in danger of starvation due to the combination of severe drought and military conflicts.
It was good to meet so many people keen to remember the terrible suffering of the victims of the famine and a chance to celebrate the close friendship between Wales and Ireland.
Hands Across the Sea
The gentle hand of
Understanding
Across the water
The story of our mission;
Two hands over two sands
Sharing a common kinship
Two hands clutching quietly
And two hands
Keeping two lands in safety,
The two holding the same truth
On the same horizon
Come what may.
Mererid Hopwood
"Next planned visit" is what you said Fido, or can I call you Paul?
I was to be the (Dear) Leader of an Inter Parlimentary Union delegation visit to North Korea. Some of the other 7 delegates got cold feet and there were rumours of a big bang.I would be happy to lead a future delegation. Things are looking good for a rapprochement. A recent delegation from South Korea urged me to get another show on the road. It could helpful. What's your problem, Fido?
The so called 'apology' was on the site for twice as long as the so-called 'libel'. As I have told you, Fido I am proud on what I did in exposing charges made by compensation claims companies that ranged from the 10% (reasonable) of monies paid to 50% (unreasonable).
Posted by: Paul Flynn | May 07, 2007 at 02:59 PM
"Next planned visit" is what you said Fido, or can I call you Paul?
I was to be the (Dear) Leader of an Inter Parlimentary Union delegation visit to North Korea. Some of the other 7 delegates got cold feet and there were rumours of a big bang.I would be happy to lead a future delegation. Things are looking good for a rapprochement. A recent delegation from South Korea urged me to get another show on the road. It could helpful. What's your problem, Fido?
The so called 'apology' was on the site for twice as long as the so-called 'libel'. As I have told you, Fido I am proud on what I did in exposing charges made by compensation claims companies that ranged from the 10% (reasonable) of monies paid to 50% (unreasonable).
Posted by: Paul Flynn | May 07, 2007 at 02:57 PM
re your own site, you planned a trip to DNK, alas the nuke test did get in the way of that.
All the info about your planned trip was on your own site, unless that has vanished as well as your apology for libel.
Posted by: fidothedog | May 02, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Getting worried about you Fido. You have lost it.
I have never been to Korea, North or South. The Dear Leader has never visited me.
What's the trouble Fido --- is your therapist on holiday?
Posted by: Paul Flynn | April 27, 2007 at 12:36 PM
When is your next planned visit to the North Korean dictator?
Posted by: fidothedog | April 26, 2007 at 02:37 PM