Global Irish Famine Way

Global Irish Famine Way. . This site is part of the Canadian section of the National and Global Irish Famine Way. , The Global Irish Famine Way extends from the National Famine Way in Ireland to follow the journeys of all the Irish Famine emigrants around the world, including the UK, Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Australia. These evocative and iconic bronze shoes and accompanying information that mark the National Famine Way - the Mother Trail, will also now signify each key location on the Global Irish Famine Way. , Starting at the National Famine Museum, which is cared for by the Irish Heritage Trust, the National Famine Way is a 165km trail in Ireland that traces the footsteps of 1,490 tenants from Strokestown, Roscommon, to Dublin in 1847 during the Great Irish Famine. It was to be their last journey on Irish soil and for the two thirds who survived the Coffin Ships - the first on their way to new lives in North America as part of the Irish diaspora. , For further information on both check out: , www.nationalfamineway.ie , #IrishFamineWay , #GlobalIrishFamineWay , "Dedicated to all those who offer hope through compassion and success through opportunity to the stranger on your shore." , St. Catharines Global Irish Famine Way , The St Catharines installation of the Global Famine Way commemorates the thousands of Irish immigrants and Great Irish Famine survivors who arrived in St. Catharines between 1837 and 1850 to work on the Second Welland Canal. Many arrived destitute and starving. The labourers lived with their families alongside the canal worksite in shanties as the Board of Works struggled to find enough work to employ them all. Living in such squalor and desperation pushed some labourers to riots and violence which was eventually policed by the military, including a company of the Coloured Corps. While many returned to the United States or Ireland, others remained and, within a generation, their descendants became foundational members of the community. Many in our city can trace their lineage back to the labourers commemorated by these bronze shoes. , Lean more about the stories of Irish labour on the Welland Canals in our exhibition galleries. , Why St. Catharines? , At its peak, over 5000 Irish labourers arrived to work on the Welland Canal projects in the 1840s, outnumbering the local population of 3500. , The Niagara District Council noted: , "The Welland Canal acts as a beacon of light to the whole redundant and transient population of not only British North America, but of the United States." , The Community's Response , Clearly overwhelmed by their sudden arrival, the Niagara District Council and the Board of Works appealed to the Provincial Government, and the Governor General for aid. They responded by deploying the military to police the Area. , With no social programs in place, it fell to local churches to organize a charitable response so that the hungry would stop raiding local farms, mills, stores, and even ships in port for food. , Battle of Slabtown July 12, 1849 , The Irish Labourer's existence alongside the canal works was very difficult and competition between factions often resulted in violence. Irish Catholics also experienced friction with the local Protestant population as represented in the Battle of Slabtown. , When the local Loyal Orange Lodge paraded to mark the Battle of the Boyne anniversary 300 Irish Catholics marched to the Protestant meeting place - William Duffin's Inn in present day Merritton. , The protest escalated and the Orangemen shot into the crowd, injuring six and killing two. , Thank you , This installation of the Global Famine Way was generously championed and funded by the Niagara Irish Festival. Stone supplied and installed by Trinity Construction Management Limited, carving by Traditional Cut Stone. The installation of the monument was also generously supported by the St. Catharines Heritage Advisory Committee with technical and administrative assistance from the St. Catharines Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, Cultural Services, Planning Services, and Historical Services, City of St. Catharines.