News & Updates Canada Come Home | to a Wicklow Welcome

Provincial Archives of New Brunswick Exhibits

The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick will make a unique contribution to this celebration of Irish Canadian heritage by sending over two complimentary and unique exhibitions.

“An Honourable Independence,” is an exhibit illustrating Irish-NB migration and settlement patterns between 1815 and 1855 and provides detail on the experiences and contributions of Irish immigrants to NB.

The exhibit includes historical photographs and documents drawn from the extensive holdings of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick (PANB).

[read more]

New Brunswick Maple Syrup Association sponsor Provincial Archives of New Brunswick Exhibition

The New Brunswick Maple Syrup Association has confirmed it’s sponsorship of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick Exhibition which will be on display at Canada Come Home and later will hopefully travel to several venues around Ireland.

We look forward to welcoming representatives of the NB Maple Syrup Assoc. when they bring a taste of Canada to Wicklow at the Canada Come Home event. If you’re Canadian. come for a taste of home. If you’re Irish, drop in on Sat Sept 14 and Sun Sept 15 and you’ll find out that maple syrup is not just for pancakes! thttp://maple.infor.ca/

Chantal and Patrick Lévesque, owners of L’Érablière de la Montagne Verte Inc. will be bringing samples of their wonderful 100% organic maple products to ‘Canada Come Home’ in Coollattin. Lets give them a warm Wicklow welcome. http://www.erablieremv.com/en/apropos.php?c=7

The owners of the “Érablière de la Montagne Verte” have had a long-standing love affair with maple sap. At 12 years of age, Patrick Levesque collects the sap with his grand-parents. He quickly acquires the skills to become a master sugar maker. At 16, he operates his own little cottage-type sugar bush, in the evenings and on weekends. Passionate about this divine golden nectar, his path in life is clearly marked out…

Best Wishes from Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne

Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne sends her good wishes.
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend you on your laudable efforts to honour the memory of those who emigrated from Ireland to Canada in the 1800s, and to bring together their descendants in celebration of their common heritage.
Please accept my best wishes for a successful and memorable gathering.”

http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/home/index.php

Coollattin Cheddar

Thanks to Tom Burgess, who will be providing his wonderful Wicklow cheese, Coollattin Cheddar, for the launch of Canada Come Home on September 13.

Tom describes the origins of his cheese. “Coolattin Cheddar is a raw milk mature cheddar hand made on the farm in west Wicklow, Ireland from the milk of our spring calving dairy herd. They go out after calving (feb,mar) and eat freshly growing grass & clover for the whole lactation. Milking stops at the end of Nov and they go inside and eat silage for two months.”

http://www.irishcheese.ie/members/coolattincheddar.html

James Family Visit

Thanks to Ray and David James from Carleton Place and Elora Ontario for sharing the story of their family with us this week.

Jerry Cassidy, once again, gave of his time and led Ray and David on an informative tour of Coollattin House. Kevin Lee was also on hand with his extensive knowledge of the area and history of the Clearence.

“It’s probably the first time a James has crossed the threshold of Coollattin House”, said David.

L to R David James, Ray James, Kevin Lee, Jerry Cassidy

Programme of Events

We’ve just posted our programme of events – view program

The Programme will be updated regularly. Times will be confirmed depending on numbers. Therefore please register you interest early for events such as the Ireland Canada Golf Tournament and the Buffet Dinner as places will be limited.

Download CCH programme (PDF) or View online

More Ottawa Irish!

Co. Wicklow welcomed another Ottawa Irish family last weekend when Sue Merkley, her mother Bernie Hendrick and Sue’s hubby Doug visited the Hendrick homestead on what was once the Fitzwilliam Estate. Sue was kind enough to do an interview for CBC Québec recently when she talked of her Irish roots and the Canada Come Home event. You can listen to that interview here. http://www.cbc.ca/breakaway/2013/03/26/the-gathering/index.html [read more]

Ottawa Visitors

Host of the Gaelic Hour http://www.thegaelichour.ca/ Austin Comerton visited Wicklow recently to report on Canada Come Home and drop into East Coast Radio. Coincidentally Ann Burns was also visiting from Ottawa and took part in the interview with Declan Meehan on The Morning Show. You can hear the interview here. TheGathering

Both keen golfers, Ann and Austin took to the course after their tour of Coollattin House.