Hearts Through History Romance Writers

Irish Connections

by | May 8, 2009 | 14 comments

Ireland has always held a special place in my heart. My first novel, In Sunshine or in Shadow, is set in Ireland. I’m married to a man who is half-Irish. And there’s a very special connection between Ireland and my hometown of Montreal, Canada.

During the Great Famine of 1845-1850, thousands of starving Irish refugees fled to Canada. Conditions on the “coffin ships” were brutal. Typhoid, dysentery, and other diseases ran rampant, and many died on the voyage that was supposed to take these people to a new and better life. Hundreds of children were orphaned, either on the ship, or later, at the quarantine station called Grosse Ile, not far from Quebec City.

As lost and bewildered as these children must have felt, they weren’t entirely alone. Quebec families, mostly French Catholic, were eager to take in these children of their own faith. Not only were they welcomed with open arms, but most kept their Irish surnames. So a little bit of Ireland survives in Montreal.

It’s still seen today in the “Irish Stone,” a momument which stands at the approach to Montreal’s Victoria Bridge. During the construction of the bridge, workmen discovered human remains of Irish immigrants to Canada. They decided to erect a large stone that bears this inscription:

To preserve from desecration the remains of 6000 immigrants who died of ship fever A.D. 1847-8, this stone is erected by the workmen of Messrs. Peto, Brassey and Betts employed in the construction of the Victoria Bridge A.D. 1859

14 Comments

  1. Pat McDermott

    Fascinating facts, Cynthia. The Irish Famine had far reaching effects indeed.

  2. Ann Lethbridge

    What a fascinating piece of history. Thank’s for sharing.

  3. Paty Jager

    Great information! I don’t know a whole lot about Canada. I tend to stay focused on the West coast with all my research. I found this very interesting!

  4. Nicole North

    How interesting and touching to have such a monument. Thanks for sharing.

  5. Susan Macatee

    What a sad story, Cynthia! Having some Irish in my background on my mother’s side, I love learning about Irish history. It’s amazing to me how many people were lost just trying to escape the country of their birth so they and their children could have a chance at life.

  6. Virginia

    This is really fascinating. I would love to go to Ireland. It is a dream of mine. Maybe one day!

  7. Cynthia Owens

    Thanks, Pat. Some of those Irish names can still be found today, mingled with the names of the French-Canadians who adopted these children. Cas in point: Several years ago, we had a premier of Quebec named Claude Ryan!

  8. Cynthia Owens

    You’re welcome, Ann. I love history, and particularaly Irish history, and it’s nice to find those connections literally in your own backyard.

  9. Cynthia Owens

    Hi Paty. Canada has a lot of wonderful stories, and I’m glad to be able to share them!

  10. Cynthia Owens

    Hi Susan,

    Yes, it is a sad story, but at least for some, it had a happy ending. I guess as a romance writer, I tend to focus on that.

  11. Cynthia Owens

    Hi Virginia,

    Glad you enjoyed the story. Ireland has been a dream of mine for years, too, and I’m finally going to realize that dream this summer. A whole 10 days there – and I can’t wait!

  12. Julie Robinson

    I did not know about ship fever, Cynthia. I’ve got goose bumps!
    I know I have French relatives on my Dad’s side in Canada, but now I wonder about my Mom’s Scots-Irish side. My Mom’s Dad’s side came to N. Carolina, but we don’t know about my Mom’s mom, who was adopted. However, we know she was brought up in a family of Scots-Irish. In addition, she did have red hair, green eyes, and beautiful porcelain skin. So now I wonder. Very interesting.
    Julie

  13. Cynthia Owens

    Hi Julie,

    Thanks for stopping by. Isn’t history wonderful when it gets your curiosity aroused?

  14. Julie Robinson

    Absolutely fascinating, Cynthia. Especially when you think how everything is connected in some way.

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