September 6th & 7th, 2025
Le Typhus and the Irish Famine
On September 6, 2025, the Montreal Irish Monument hosted Le Typhus and the Irish Famine: Memorial, Memory, and the Science of Remembrance at the historic Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours Chapel Vault. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the over 60 people who attended, the numerous volunteers and to our panel of experts who gave thoughtful, moving presentations on the tragedy of the Great Famine of 1847 in Montreal.
Thank You for Joining Us
Special Thanks to our Expert Panelists
A very special thank you to our panelists: Dr. Mark McGowan (video), Dr. Simon Jolivet, Tahieròn:iohte Dan David (video), Michael McBane, Dr. Gavin Foster, Dr. Marine Puech (video), Dr. Martin Perron (video), and Scott Phelan.
Michael McBane, Historian
Image Credit: Laurie McKeown Photography
Dr. Gavin Foster, Prof.
Image Credit: Laurie McKeown Photography
Dr. Simon Jolivet, Enseignant
Image Credit: Laurie McKeown Photography
Dr. Mark McGowan, Prof.
Image Credit: Laurie McKeown Photography
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Tahieròn:iohte Dan David Image Credit: Laurie McKeown Photography |
Dr. Marine Puech, Arch.(Vid.)
Image Credit: Laurie McKeown Photography
Dr. Martin Perron, Arch. (video)
Image Credit: Laurie McKeown Photography
Scott Phelan, Vice President, MIM
Image Credit: Laurie McKeown Photography
A Unique Moment in History
This event coincided with a historic transition: the removal of François-Xavier Hamel’s painting Le Typhus from the chapel ceiling for restoration. This was one of the last opportunities to see the painting in its original setting.
The evening included a bilingual presentation, expert panel discussion, reflections on archaeology, DNA, and history tied to the Irish Famine, followed by a wine and cheese reception.
Continuing the Commemoration
The commemoration continued on Sunday, September 7, at 4:00 p.m. in the Bonsecours Chapel, with a special mass in honour of the victims, survivors, and helpers of the 1847 Great Hunger. The commemorative Mass was celebrated by Father Guy Chapdelaine, .
The ceremony was made even more memorable by the moving music of Esme Cavanagh and her band Gráinne, featuring Ella Partington on fiddle, Lily Maclean on harmonium, and Darragh Mondoux.
Gratitude to Our Supporters
We gratefully acknowledge the financial contribution of QAHN and of Canadian Heritage under the SHARE / PARTAGE PATRIMOINE program toward the Irish Famine DNA Project, Phase 1. We also thank all of our partners, sponsors, and community members for helping to ensure this important history is preserved and remembered.
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