The Committee for the Commemoration for Irish Famine Victims (CCIFV) have teamed up with Glens of Antrim Potatoes and Dunnes Stores to make seed potatoes available to all schools in Ireland.

One of the iconic symbols of the Great Famine in Ireland is the Lumper potato, the very variety upon which so many Irish people depended. Its destruction by blight from 1845 onwards led directly to the outbreak of the Famine.

The potatoes should require very little care, and the process of planting, tending and hopefully eating the crop will be an interesting way to help pupils to commemorate and remember the victims of An Gorta Mór, and those who suffer in famine and hunger today.

For your school to receive a free pack of seed Lumper potatoes, it is best if the principal teacher or a nominee would send an email to lumpersp@gmail.com, with your own contact phone number, roll number and an email address. When planting time arrives, the free packs of Lumper seed potatoes can be collected from a school’s local Dunnes Stores outlet.

Schools will be contacted with details on when they can collect their Lumper Pack and Booklet.

Registration is open now.