Hugh and Etta Hales Pakenham Mahon, grandchildren of Olive Hales Pakenham Mahon, the last member of the family to live at Strokestown Park House, Co Roscommon, yesterday returned to the house, which is now a famine museum.
The Hales Pakenham Mahons were on hand for the launch of the restored former courtyards and servants' quarters as a development of 13 private dwellings.
They also heard Minister of State Michael Kitt announce that the new Irish Aid Hunger Task Force would meet in Dublin for the first time tomorrow.
Launching the homes, which are to be rented out on annual leases, Mr Kitt said he hoped they would "add to the vibrancy of Strokestown, and will hopefully also help secure the long-term future" of the grand Palladian mansion.
Mr Kitt congratulated famine museum founder Jim Callery on the preservation of Strokestown and its opening as a museum.
Strokestown was linked to the famine initially through the role of its owner in the 19th century, Maj Denis McMahon, who was publicly censured for chartering some of the first notorious coffin ships, which carried evicted tenants to America. Maj McMahon was ultimately shot on his estate.
Mr Kitt said since opening as a famine museum, the house "had carved an important role for itself in promoting understanding of the Great Irish Famine".
The Minister, who has responsibility for overseas development aid, said Bono and economic adviser to the developing world Jeffrey Sachs would be members of the Irish Aid Hunger Task Force. The taskforce is to be chaired by former minister for agriculture and food Joe Walsh. It will work with the UN World Food Programme in responding to the emergency food needs of communities affected by disasters.
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