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Chairman's Statement
The opening of Ireland Park is an historic event that started over 12 years ago and is now a reality- a famine memorial on Toronto’s waterfront commemorating the Irish famine immigrants who arrived on our shores in 1847. The park memorializes those who lost their lives upon arrival, but also those who survived and became contributing citizens to the development of this city, province and country.
The vision of our architect, Jonathan Kearns (and Kearns Mancini Architects) has resulted in a stunning park design that provides a beautiful background for the stark, gritty reality of the emotive sculptures by Rowan Gillespie.
We are deeply grateful to our Patron, H.E. Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, the governments of Ireland, Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto for their support. I would also like to acknowledge the overwhelming support of the Irish community, led by our founding partner, the Ireland Fund of Canada and the various Irish cultural societies and our many donors and sponsors. Your leadership and commitment has helped bring all the Irish community together under a common goal.
Thank you for being part of these special events. It is an occasion we will all cherish for years to come and a legacy that we can now leave for our
descendents, knowing that the history and stories of the Irish famine immigrants to Toronto have at last been documented and recorded for all time.
Ireland Park will be a legacy on Toronto’s waterfront that will bring hope and inspiration to all immigrants and visitors to the park.
Robert G. Kearns
Chairman, Ireland Park Foundation
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