Two churches to honour 'decisions and dilemmas' of Achill's 19th-century poor

The Church of Ireland and the Catholic Church will come together today to mark the graves of the poor people of Achill island, Co Mayo.

The deceased lived in the 19th century, during a time of great hunger and great pressure. Their graves were not marked at the time of their deaths.

It was also a time of ill will between the two churches, who competed for parishoners.

Rector of St Thomas's Church of Ireland parish Reverand Val Rogers, who organised today's event, said the churches would be acting in cooperation for this rememberance.

"We want to honour the decisions and dilemmas of the poor at the time," he said.