Unveiling Our Vision
Explore the Future of the Montreal Irish Monument
Discover the latest designs for our commemorative site, crafted to honor the legacy and history of the Irish community in Montreal.
Innovative Architecture
Cultural Significance
Community Engagement
Sustainable Design
Our Mission
The Montreal Irish Monument Foundation is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Irish immigrants who perished during the Great Famine. Our mission is to create a commemorative site that honors their legacy and educates the public about this significant historical event. Established in 2015, our foundation has worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life, collaborating with historians, architects, and the local community to ensure an accurate and respectful tribute.
Discover Our Designs
Commemorative Site Gallery
Memorial Park Highlights
Key Features of the Memorial Park
Historical Monuments
The Black Rock, the world’s oldest famine monument, featured in a dedicated area that honors its legacy of preserving this mass grave for over 165 years, enduring despite numerous attempts to relocate or destroy it.
Irish Memorial Pavilion
A vibrant community hub that houses engaging exhibitions, events, and activities, complemented by a café and convenient washrooms for a comfortable visitor experience.
Reflection Fountain
A reflective water feature will pool around Celtic designs on the ground around the Rock to evoke the perilous crossing of of famine refugees on “coffin ships”.
Educational Trails
Scenic walking trails complemented by informative plaques along offer insights into the site’s history and significance, allowing visitors to explore and learn while enjoying the serene surroundings.
Community Amphitheater
An open-air amphitheater fully equipped with the necessary audiovisual systems for hosting commemoration ceremonies, cultural events, lectures, and community gatherings.
Fever Shed Bench Area
Benches and trees tracing the original outline of the 1849 fever sheds offer a space for contemplation and remembrance, surrounded by benches and lush greenery.
Memorial Wall
A stone and Corten wall that bisects the Celtic cross, leading to an ascending walking path culminating in a belvedere designed to evoke the bow of a ship. The upper section showcases 6,000 perforated Celtic crosses, each representing a soul buried in the mass grave, creating a poignant tribute to the lost.
Dedicated Space to the 14
In a sheltered semicircle, a dedicated space honors the 14 individuals uncovered and studied by archaeologists, allowing aspects of their identities and tragic stories to be brought to light.
Our Plan
A Place for all
The Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation is proud to announce its partnership with Lemay, an award-winning architecture and urban design firm, to bring to life the Irish Monument Park of Montreal. This landmark project will honor the 6,000 Irish immigrants who perished during the Great Hunger (1845-1852) and were laid to rest near the Black Rock in
Montreal. Following an extensive selection process in early 2024, Lemay was chosen from a group of highly recommended firms, with strong support from the City of Montreal and Hydro-Québec.
This collaboration marks a major milestone in a decade-long effort to preserve and commemorate this significant historical site, ensuring it becomes an inclusive public space for reflection, education, and community engagement. Lemay’s design reflects both the hardship of the immigrant journey and the welcome extended by the city. A series of Celtic crosses will serve as a tribute to the 6,000 lives lost, ensuring that each individual, though buried in anonymity, is honored. The fever sheds that once housed the
sick will be outlined by carefully placed benches, marking the very spaces where many took their last breath.
spa milestone in the and how the community can
support the initiative.
Beyond its role as a place of remembrance, the Irish Monument Park of Montreal will serve as a dynamic hub for learning and cultural exchange. An interpretation center and exhibition space will provide insight into Irish-Canadian immigration and its lasting impact, while a café and event space will foster community engagement. Educational programs will ensure future generations continue to learn about the history of Montreal’s Irish community and its broader ties to global migration.
“The Irish Monument Park of Montreal will stand as a beacon of history, resilience, and shared cultural heritage. It is not just a monument—it is a place where people will gather, reflect, and celebrate the rich Irish-Canadian legacy in Montreal,” said Fergus Keyes, President of the Irish Monument Park Foundation Board of Directors.
The project has been made possible through grants from SRQEA and the Ireland Emigrant Support Program, ensuring that years of advocacy are now taking shape in a tangible way.
The Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation extends its gratitude to the City of Montreal, Hydro-Québec, and the many supporters who have contributed to bringing this vision to life. With the design finalized, the next phase will focus on fundraising and site preparations. The project is expected to be completed by 2029, marking a historic milestone in the preservation of Montreal’s Irish heritage and immigrant history.
For further insight into the significance of this project, its historical impact, and the ongoing efforts to bring it to life, Fergus Keyes, President of the MIM board of directors, is available for interviews. With his deep knowledge and commitment to the memorial’s mission, he can provide valuable perspectives on the importance of honoring this history and how the community can support the initiative.
Historical maps of the site:
The Black Rock through the years
Pointe-Saint-Charles 1879
Pointe-Saint-Charles 1890
Pointe-Saint-Charles 1967
Pointe-Saint-Charles 2024
More images of the Rock
Project Updates
Academia
Academic Papers and Archives
The following academic papers and archives are related to the Famine of 1847-48 in Montreal and efforts to protect and preserve the burial ground where 6000+ typhus victims are buried:
NUI Galway Virtual Irish Famine Archive curated by Dr. Jason King.
“Montreal’s Ship Fever Monument” by Dr. Colin McMahon.
Letters of Support
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Contact
info@montrealirishmonument.com
Address
1195 Sherbrooke O. Montréal, QC H3A 1H9
