________________________________________________________________
President Mary McAleese opens Ireland Park, Toronto
“
A Place
of Memory” –
June 21st, 2007
By
Eamonn O'Loghlin
- Editor & Publisher,
Toronto
Irish News
As Editor of the Toronto Irish News I had been getting the “sceal” about
Ireland
Park
in one form or another for the last 10 years. I knew it was coming and the intensity of the project over the last 18 months especially, heralded the fact that the opening day was indeed coming on the summer solstice of 2007. I knew also that
Ireland
’s President, Mary McAleese was coming and that indeed was exciting in itself.
I was not prepared for the emotional juggernaut that hit me and the Irish community of
Toronto
when indeed the time did come and the tricolour waved proudly throughout the city that in the past had been known as the Belfast of North America. A place where the
Orange
and the Green didn’t always get along.
Toronto
, the Hurons name for “
A Place
of Meeting” and home today to over four million souls from over 160 different nationalities and cultures was indeed the setting last week for an event that will be recorded in the annals of time as the Irish community’s finest hour.
With twenty four hours still to go to the official opening, President McAleese took the podium at the prestigious Fairmont Royal York Hotel before a sold-out crowd of over 500, hosted by the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce and
Enterprise
Ireland
. This amazing Head of State had this audience in the palm of her hand from the get go. She took the audience on a roller coaster emotional journey that recounted the experience of 160 years ago of those fleeing famine during Black ’47 to the Ireland of the Celtic Tiger, the peace in the north of Ireland and to a future where we must strive harder to eradicate the causes of famine, the world over.
In setting the scene, President McAleese remarked on the incredible open heartedness of Torontonians in those dark days when a city with a mere population of 20,000 was overrun by 38,000 Irish famine victims, weak, hungry and diseased from their herculean journey on the coffin ships as human ballast. She told a story of a City that not only lost over 1,100 Catholic souls in the fever sheds that had been hastily erected at King & John Streets but also of the 300 Irish Protestant souls buried at St. James’s Cemetery & Crematorium who had also fled the famine. The sick and the dying were administered to with care and compassion no matter which side they came from.
This is the story of
Ireland
Park
which is located on the shores of
Lake
Ontario
with a vista of
Toronto
’s magnificent skyline and now with an address of Eireann Quay, recently renamed from Bathurst Quay by a very supportive City of
Toronto
. Mayor David Miller and Councillor Adam Vaughan have shown very tangibly how much they respect and appreciate
Toronto
’s Irish community.
As June 21st dawned, the Irish naval service flagship, the L.E. Eithne with over 70 personnel aboard pulled alongside
Ireland
Park
and it told Irish Canada that their monument was also very important to
Ireland
, its people and its Government.
After all, this was the first time the Irish Government had ever financially supported an infrastructural project outside
Ireland
or the
U.K.
In March, Rialtais na h-Eireann pledged $500,000 to
Ireland
Park
and this was matched by the Government of Canada. An additional grant of $200,000 was received from the Government of Ontario. The remaining $2,300,000 required to complete the project was raised through corporate and private donations.
By
midday
the adjoining “Little Norway Park” all setup with jumbotrons and a massive stage, was entertaining the 3,000 souls who had come with anticipation to meet President McAleese and be part of this fleeting moment in history. They would be able to say to their children and grandchildren – “I was there”.
After two hours of great Irish entertainment on a beautiful day by
Lake
Ontario
, it was time for the mandatory speeches. Normally this can be a time when the madding crowd either head for the hills or just feign interest. Not on this occasion. The politicians from all levels of government were genuine, funny and comfortable and it showed. Ireland Park Chairman, Robert Kearns (a
Dublin
native) spoke eloquently and from the heart and was indeed touched by the presence and message of President McAleese who received an extended standing ovation. Again, the Irish Diaspora laughed and they cried when the President spoke of the incredible journey their ancestors took to
Toronto
in the summer of 1847. Finally, after 160 years these people were being remembered and their names were carved on the Kilkenny limestone shipped across the ocean. The wall, the genius of Robert’s brother Jonathan, an award winning architect with Kearns Mancini Architects, had its genesis from indelible images in his memory of
County
Clare
’s Cliffs of Moher and
Aran
Island
landscapes. Along with sculptor Rowan Gillespie’s five bronze masterpieces called “The Arrival” which includes a pregnant woman, an orphaned boy, a dying woman and two men – one jubilant and the other apprehensive, this famine memorial is indeed different from any other on the planet.
In this sacred place, the mere flotsam of humanity that was part of the cruel landlord’s final solution has finally found dignity and a place of peace for eternity.
Canada
’s Irish community should indeed be forever grateful to Robert Kearns who had a vision over 10 years ago and worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Men such as this surround themselves with quality people and indeed Robert was fortunate to have such a board that should all stand proud for an amazing effort that was so evident from start to finish.
A Cead Mile Buiochais (A Hundred Thousand Thanks) also go out to President McAleese who helped to make these few days such defining moments in our history. We will never forget your words, your generosity, your genuine kindness and love for your people. Your people are so proud to have such a great leader at this juncture in
Ireland
’s twisted history. Your Presidency is indeed building bridges.
On the following morning of June 22nd I could not sleep and dropped into
Ireland
Park
. The following were my thoughts at that special time:
It is
6:04
in the morning on June 22nd and I am enjoying a solitary moment here on my own.
The sun has just risen in the east and it's rearing its warm orange orb over the
Toronto
harbour front just like it did 160 years ago.
The waves are lapping by the shore and Rowan's five masterpieces face the new day with hope that has been plucked from despair. Someday they hope that they will be remembered - and so they have.
With their names etched on Jonathan's masterpiece they will be remembered because Robert and his
Ireland
Park
team said it is time to put this right, let's show the world that those from both great Irish traditions are one and at peace in
Toronto
, the Huron's place of meeting. The Caesar's and Napoleon's of the world would have sacrificed their legions for a legacy such as this.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh go leir. Thank you all. This indeed was our community's finest hour.
My family and I will never forget what you have done.
For further information on
Ireland
Park
go to website at: http://www.irelandparkfoundation.com/ or call
416 601-6906
.
Event Photos Available!
