The summer of 1847 saw the arrival of 100,000 emigrants from Ireland who sailed to Quebec City in flight from tyranny and artificial famine. By 1848 20,000 of these had perished and of these over 5000 lie in a mass grave on Grosse Île.

Parks Canada held an official ceremony on Grosse Île commemorating the 175th anniversary of the tragedy of 1847. A group of twenty members of Irish Heritage Quebec were in attendance and met the Irish Ambassador Eamonn McKee who had been invited by Parks Canada. Other guests were federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos, Christine Loth-Bown, Vice-President, Indigenous Affairs and Cultural heritage, Parks Canada, and Bryan O’Gallagher, president of Irish Heritage Quebec. Each spoke in commemoration of the thousands of who lie buried beneath 47 crosses in the Irish cemetery. They spoke also of the survivors, their subsequent contribution to our history and the persistence of their Irish heritage. They placed floral arrangements honouring the memory of the victims and their attending doctors. Patrick McSweeney added poignancy and dignity to the occasion playing both lament and martial airs on the uilleann pipes.

☘☘☘ The following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of Irish Heritage Quebec today. April 10, 2020 .

Donation to Moisson Québec

WHEREAS the ongoing COVID-19 health emergency is causing distress to our fellow citizens in the Greater Quebec City Region, with many people being forced to turn to food banks and other charities for their basic needs;

WHEREAS the story and presence of the Irish in Quebec City are intimately bound to the hardships of famine and hunger;

On motion duly made, seconded and carried unanimously, the following resolution is passed:

Resolved:  Irish Heritage Quebec make a donation to the local food bank Moisson Québec in the amount of $3,000.  ☘☘☘

The Défilé de la Saint-Patrick de Québec  has invited Irish Heritage Quebec to attend a presentation to be given by Isabelle Matte in the auditorium in the basement of St. Patrick’s High School on March 21 at 19:00. Refreshments will be served and admission is free.  You must enter by 1085 De Salaberry.  Please note the conference will be in French and is titled Raconte-moi que tu as vu l’Irlande: l’île émeraude comme miroir du Québec.

Members in the Montreal area or members who missed it in Quebec City may wish to go see Grosse Île; The Musical, a play by John Halpin, Margaret Forrest and Hubert Radoux based on the tragedy on Grosse Île in 1847. It will be playing at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall at Concordia University with the support of Concordia’s School of Irish Studies. Evening performances on October 27-28 and November 3-4 will be at 20:00. Afternoon performances on October 29 and November 5 will be at 14:00. 

For more information on tickets click here