Welcome
A New & Improved Web Site is coming soon!
Un nouveau site Web amélioré arrive bientôt!
Welcome to the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation Website. We invite you to peruse those sections that may interest you in this extraordinary story...
A project to build a beautiful world class Memorial Space around the Black Rock on the Montreal side of the Victoria Bridge.
This space would remember the 6000+ Irish immigrants, fleeing the Great Hunger in Ireland, that died and were buried in the area in 1847.
It would also honor the many Montrealers of every language, religion, and heritage that provided help and comfort to these dying Irish. Many of these “caregivers” also gave their life in this great humanitarian effort.
...and to acquaint you with our plans!
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Update - August 2021
As mentioned, more than 1 year ago, archeologists working with the REM discovered the remains of 14 victims of 1847. These remains are currently at a laboratory where tests are being done and we hope to have more details about these remains, in the next couple of months,- i.e., gender, approximate age, perhaps cause of death and DNA. (Like so much else these tests were delayed as result of the virus scare).
However, more than 2 years ago, a different team of archeologists, working with Hydro-Quebec, started a study in the main parking lot across from the Black Rock, where Goose Village, and then the Autostade existed. In this case no remains were found - but various items like clay pipes were discovered. Clay Pipes were a favorite of the Irish but it is difficult to tell if these pipes were from the Irish victims of 1847, or from the Irish that were working on the Victoria Bridge a decade or so later.
Right beside the main parking lot, there was another area occupied by Lafarge Cement which was also on land purchased by Hydro-Quebec. The Lafarge Cement company has now moved from the area, which, in turn, has allowed the archeologists from Hydro-Quebec to continue their search in this area.
This excavation is taking place in what I guess could be called the North end of the property. At the South and East section, construction of the Hydro station, to be called Poste des Irlandais (Irish station) has now started. But the area of this main site construction is generally “land fill”. In the 1950’s during the excavation for the Seaway and then again in the 1960’s during the construction of the Metro-Subway, a great amount of earth was transported to the area and extended the property. (The St. Lawrence River originally was much closer to the Black Rock). All to say that the land where the actual Hydro Station is being built simply did not exist there in 1847 and as a result, there is really no likely possibility of discovering any remains or even artifacts in this section.
On Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021, representatives of the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation were invited to visit and observe this new excavation.
They are discovering a number of every-day artifacts including bottles, a very old coin etc. – but it is still to be determined the origin of these items – were they from the Fever Sheds; the later builders of the Victoria Bridge; or from residents of Goose Village; or even later when the Autostade was built in the area?
All to say that the Montreal Irish Community could not possibly ask for more care and planning than that which is being done by the Hydro-Quebec organization.
The hope in the end is that all artifacts that are discovered by the archeologists will be cleaned-up, dated etc. and then displayed in any interpretation centre / museum that we plan to include in our world class memorial space around the Back Rock.
(all photos copyright - Hydro-Quebec
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Update April 2021
Around St. Patrick’s Day, Victor Boyle provide a general update on the project. This update can be viewed here:
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Recent project updates - (Click on "project uodates for previous notes)
Update note for May 31st 2020
Due to the current virus scare, the annual "Walk to the Stone" was cancelled.
However, on Sunday, May 31, 2020, the AOH had a simple laying of the wreath at the Black Rock along with a prayer.
Joining us was the team from the Park Foundation working on the Memorial:
Fergus Keyes
Lynn Doyle
Paula Phelan (for Scott Phelan)
We felt you were all there with us.
Victor
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Donation Note.......
Quite often recently, we have been asked about how someone might make a small donation to the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation to help with promotional efforts; event costs etc.
It is actually quite easy….
On the left side of this page, click on the yellow button “DONATE”
You can make a donation through PayPal or most major Credit Cards
Notes:
If you prefer to send a donation by check, it can be sent to:
The Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation
c/o 523 rue Charon
Montreal, Quebec H3K 2P4
That’s it – if you have any questions about this issue, please let us know
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Recent activities:-
June 12 2019
Inter Faith religious Blessing at the Black Rock
July 1st 2019
Irish Contingent in Montreal Canada Parade
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