Near Berthier-sur-Mer in Chaudière-Appalaches, Québec — Central Canada (French-Canadian)
The Celtic Cross
La croix celtique
| — | 1909 | — |
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
1. The Celtic Cross Marker
Captions (English / French): (top left) The cross was designed by engineer Jeremiah O’Gallagher and his son Dermot. / La croix a été dessinée par l’ingénieur Jeremiah O’Gallagher et son fils Dermot.; (bottom left) Surrounded by several dignitaries of the government of Canada, Mgr Sbaretti, Apostolic Delegate to Canada, presided over the ceremony. / Entouré de plusieurs hauts dignitaries du gouvernement canadien, Monseigneur Sbaretti, délégué papal au Canada, préside la cérémonie.; (right) On August 15, 1909, the monument was unveiled before a large attendance of guests from Canada and the United States. / Le 15 août 1909, un nombre impressionnant d’invités originaires du Canada et des États-Unis assistent au dévoilement du monument.
English:
Raised in 1909 by members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, this monument honours the memory of the thousands of Irish immigrants who died on Grosse Île in 1847. Inscriptions in Irish, French and English recall their tragic destiny during the Great Famine.
French:
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 47° 1.077′ N, 70° 40.575′ W. Marker is near Berthier-sur-Mer, Québec, in Chaudière-Appalaches. It can be reached from Rue de la Marina. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Berthier-sur-Mer QC G0R 1E0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Québec City Region. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers
this page online
More about this marker. Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada is only accessible by ferry from Berthier-sur-Mer. The Celtic Cross is located on a bluff at the southwest corner of Grosse Isle. Access is by trail only.
Regarding The Celtic Cross. It is believed that over 300 Irish died on the island and over 5000 are currently buried in the cemetery there; many died en route. Most who died on the island were infected with typhus, which sprang up from the conditions there in 1847. Grosse Isle is the largest burial ground for refugees of the Great Hunger outside Ireland.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
2. The Celtic Cross Marker
Also see . . .
1. 1847: A tragic year at Grosse Île - Parks Canada. The Great Famine, which lasted from 1845 to 1848-1849, reached a climax in 1847. In Québec and Grosse Île, the situation soon became tragic, with over 100 000 immigrants arriving in a single season... Already weakened by malnutrition and starvation, they had been crowded aboard unsanitary sailboats... They reached their destination in a deplorable state, many already infected with typhus, a disease which soon reached epidemic proportions. (Submitted on February 7, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
2. List of Names on the Memorial - Parks Canada. This monument was placed close to the western cemetery, and bears the names of people who died either on Grosse-Île or on the boats: immigrants, employees and sailors. Of the 7553 people buried here, 1545 are still unknown. In their memory, the same number of boats were engraved on the glass. (Submitted on February 7, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
3. Memorial Tablet on the The Celtic Cross
Priests who voluntarily ministered to the typhus-stricken emigrants: * W.W. Moyland, * B. McGauran, J. McDeWitt, *P.T. Sax, J. Nelligan, G.Z. Rousseau, *A. Campeau, * J. Bailey, L. Provengher, * M. Forgues, T. Caron, * N. Bellenger, L.A. Proulx, * H. McQuirk, * J. McDonald, * L. Trahan, * P.H. Jean, J-B.A.Ferland, J. Harper, + F.S. Bardy, + E. Montminy, F. O’Reilly, L.A. Dupuis, J.B. Perras, M.Duguay. M. Tarbie, M. Kerrigan, J.C. O’Grady, * E.A. Taschereau, * E.J. Horan, P. Beaumont, E. Payment, E. Halle, J.H. Dorion, C. Tardif, A. Lebel, P. Gariepy, W. Dunn, G. Tremblay, L.S. Malo, + H. Robson, + P. Rov. + M. Power.
*Who contracted the disease.
+Died of fever.
This monument was erected under the direction and through the efforts of Matthew Cummings, National President A. O. H.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
4. Memorial Tablet on the The Celtic Cross (English)
Erected by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America and dedicated Feast of the Assumption, 1909.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
5. Memorial Tablet on the The Celtic Cross (French)
“Ceux qui sèment dans les larmes moissonneront dans la joie.” - PS XXV. 5
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
6. Memorial Tablet on the The Celtic Cross (Gaelic)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
7. The Irish Memorial
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
8. The Irish Memorial
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2014
9. The Irish Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,945 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 7, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
