Canada’s largest city, Toronto, held its St Patrick parade last Sunday, Montreal holds its parade this weekend.

Canada’s largest city, Toronto, held its St Patrick's parade last Sunday, Montreal holds its parade this weekend.
Photo Credit: (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

St Patrick’s Day- Canada

By Marc Montgomery |
english@rcinet.ca
Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2016 10:39

In mid-March in Canada, the population of “Irish” seems to suddenly grow exponentially, and although in many parts, white snow is often still very much present, lots of “green” appears as well. It’s all to celebrate St. Patrick’s day.

St. Patrick’s Basilica in downtom Montreal was completed in 1847 to accomodate the swelling Irish community in Quebec in the 1800’s. A National Historic Site, it was named a minor basilica by Pope John-Paul II, and is one of dozens if not hundreds of St Patrick’s churches and Cathedrals in Canada.
St. Patrick’s Basilica in downtown Montreal was completed in 1847 to accommodate the swelling Irish community in Quebec in the 1800’s. A National Historic Site, it was named a minor basilica by Pope John-Paul II, and is one of dozens if not hundreds of St Patrick’s churches and Cathedrals in Canada. © wiki-tango7174

The patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, March 17 and is an official Christian feast day.  As Canada was the destination for thousands of Irish immigrants early in it’s history,and since, the day is widely marked across the country.

Indeed, there will be many parades in various cities across Canada, which tend to celebrate  on the weekend before or after if the date falls during the week.

The World Heritage site Rideau Canal stretches some 200 km from Kingston Ontario to the national Capital Ottawa. It was opened in 1832 originally for military purposes but almost immediately became a commerce route, and soon a major pleasure boating route. It was built thanks to a continous force of Irish and French-Canadian labourers.
The World Heritage site Rideau Canal stretches some 200 km from Kingston Ontario to the national Capital Ottawa. It was opened in 1832 originally for military purposes but almost immediately became a commerce route, and soon a major pleasure boating route. It was built thanks to a continous force of mostly Irish and French-Canadian labourers. A celtic cross was erected in Kingston to commemorate the many Irish labourers who died during the construction. © Parks Canada-B Morin

Toronto, Canada’s largest city held its parade last weekend, and Montreal, Quebec wll hold it’s parade this coming weekend. Montreal which had a large Irish presence has the oldest continuous parade in North America, which has been held annually since 1824, with previous and smaller scale celebrations going back to 1759. The so-called “traditional” music of French-speaking Quebec is in fact heavily influenced by Irish jigs and reels.

Workers (many of them Irish) building the Victoria Bridge in Montreal discovered remains of Irish immigrants who died of Typhus and other disease in *fever sheds*. and erected this large black rock in 1859 near the bridge in their memory. Each year a group of Irish Montrealers stages a memorial walk to the monument to commemorat the lives lost.
Workers (many of them Irish) building the Victoria Bridge in Montreal discovered remains of Irish immigrants who died of Typhus and other disease in *fever sheds*. and erected this large black rock in 1859 near the bridge in their memory. Each year a group of Irish Montrealers stages a memorial walk to the monument to commemorat the lives lost. © wiki-douaireg

There is no doubt that Irish immigrants have played an important role in the development of Canada, not only in building cities, but also in founding and/or growing towns and cities across the country.

Completed in 1855, the Basilica of St. John The Baptist, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador: Is a National Historic Landmark of Canada. At the time, was the largest Irish cathedral built outside Ireland. Notable Irishmen were involved in the construction and planning of the church including stonemason James Purcell of Cork, Irish-born Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming. Limestond and granited imported from Ireland was also used in the construction
Completed in 1855, the Basilica of St. John The Baptist, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador: Is a National Historic Landmark of Canada. At the time, was the largest Irish cathedral built outside Ireland. Notable Irishmen were involved in the construction and planning of the church including stonemason James Purcell of Cork, Irish-born Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming. Limestond and granited imported from Ireland was also used in the construction © wikapedia-nilfanion

Partial list of a very few of the Irish place names in Canada

  • Ballyhack, Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Antrim, Nova Scotia
  • Londonderry, Nova Scotia
  • Kildare, Prince Edward Island
  • Castlereagh, Nova Scotia
  • Armagh, Quebec
  • Shaughnessy Village, Montreal (neighbourhood)
  • Limerick, Ontario
  • Caledon Ontario,
  • Perth, Ontario
  • Donegal, Perth County, Ontario
  • Dublin, Ontario
  • Enniskillen, Ontario
  • Meath Park, Saskatchewan
  • Innisfail, Alberta

additional information-sources

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