Polish man who provided Famine relief to be honoured
A plaque is being unveiled in Glenties, Co Donegal, to honor Paul Edmund Strzelecki, a Polish explorer who organized relief efforts for 200,000 children during the Great Famine. The ceremony coincides with the pairing of Poland and Donegal for Ireland's EU Council Presidency.
Why it matters
The event highlights historical humanitarian cooperation and strengthens modern diplomatic ties between Poland and Ireland.
A plaque honouring a Polish man who devised a scheme that provided relief to 200,000 children during the Great Famine will be unveiled in Glenties, Co Donegal later today.
Paul Edmund Strzelecki (1797-1873) was the main agent of the British Association for the Relief of Distress in Ireland and Scotland, known as the British Relief Association.
The Dictionary of Irish Biographies (DIB) states that the British Relief Association, which was a private charity, felt Strzelecki would be more accepted in the role of its main agent in Ireland.
A renowned Polish explorer and scientist, Strzelecki, who was born near Poznań, volunteered for three years during the Great Famine.
Based in Westport while working for the relief association, he travelled many counties including Mayo, Sligo and Donegal.
He developed a model of assistance, feeding starving children through schools.
The DIB said Strzelecki worked to increase funding for the schoolchildren's scheme.
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