The Road Ahead
HERE'S TO 2022………ONWARDS AND UPWARDS.
For all of those who proudly claim to be members of our Coollattin diaspora 2020 was to have been a special year. Many were planning, either as individuals, families or participants at our third ‘Homeward Trek’, to come back to their south Wicklow roots. We all know too well why the plans had to be abandoned. The current year 2021 has been no better. Indeed one could argue that it has brought with it worse impositions. Hopefully, the end is now in sight. We all hope and pray that come 2022 the roll out of vaccination programmes will be complete and we will once again be in a position to safely travel to and from our proud countries located on either side of the great Atlantic ocean.
2022 is a very special year. It marks the 175th anniversary of ‘Black 47’. Between 1832 and 1856, Earl Fitzwilliam facilitated travel to Quebec for an estimated 10,000 souls. Due to the potato famine 1847 was the high point of this haemorrhage of our population. During our darkest year a total of 1,472 Coollattin men women and children boarded five vessels owned by the Graves shipping company. As they stood on the quayside at the port of New Ross they bade farewell for the last time to their homeland. The ships and the number of Fitzwilliam emigres on board them were: the ‘Standard’ (192), the ‘Progress’ (273), the ‘Agent’ (169), the ‘Pandora’ (399) and the ‘Colonist’ (439).
To plan our famine commemoration we are bringing together a committee with representation from here in Wicklow as well as from our Canadian diaspora. Coming on board the organizing committee at this are Elizabeth (O’Reilly) Flanagan, Patricia Kenny and Barry Brennan. Joining us in the near future will be three members of our extensive Canadian diaspora. A number of events to mark this special year have been suggested. Proposed events include the opening of a famine walkway/greenway, the launching of a book entitle ‘Shoeboxes’ which tells the stories of many of the resilient families that left our shores and the unveiling of a commemorative famine monument. We are also committed to the staging of a Famine Summer School. Dr Mark McGowan, professor of geography at Toronto University, and Canada’s leading expert on Irish famine emigration, will be coming to as keynote speaker.
Can we welcome you home in 2022?
Does your family have its roots in Coollattin. If so, it would be our honour and privilege to plan your visit to the very spot left behind by your family as they set off for the "promised land'. We are confident that 2022 will be much better for us all and that those who planned coming to us in 2020 will find an opportunity to fulfil their dream in 2022. Please get in touch if you are thinking about coming 'home' in '22. It would be good also if you could indicate in what month you are contemplating coming. This is in no way binding. It will help us in planning in advance our programme for the year ahead. You can contact kevin@coollattincanadianconnection.com or alternatively use the CONTACT page on this website.
HERE'S TO 2022………ONWARDS AND UPWARDS.
For all of those who proudly claim to be members of our Coollattin diaspora 2020 was to have been a special year. Many were planning, either as individuals, families or participants at our third ‘Homeward Trek’, to come back to their south Wicklow roots. We all know too well why the plans had to be abandoned. The current year 2021 has been no better. Indeed one could argue that it has brought with it worse impositions. Hopefully, the end is now in sight. We all hope and pray that come 2022 the roll out of vaccination programmes will be complete and we will once again be in a position to safely travel to and from our proud countries located on either side of the great Atlantic ocean.
2022 is a very special year. It marks the 175th anniversary of ‘Black 47’. Between 1832 and 1856, Earl Fitzwilliam facilitated travel to Quebec for an estimated 10,000 souls. Due to the potato famine 1847 was the high point of this haemorrhage of our population. During our darkest year a total of 1,472 Coollattin men women and children boarded five vessels owned by the Graves shipping company. As they stood on the quayside at the port of New Ross they bade farewell for the last time to their homeland. The ships and the number of Fitzwilliam emigres on board them were: the ‘Standard’ (192), the ‘Progress’ (273), the ‘Agent’ (169), the ‘Pandora’ (399) and the ‘Colonist’ (439).
To plan our famine commemoration we are bringing together a committee with representation from here in Wicklow as well as from our Canadian diaspora. Coming on board the organizing committee at this are Elizabeth (O’Reilly) Flanagan, Patricia Kenny and Barry Brennan. Joining us in the near future will be three members of our extensive Canadian diaspora. A number of events to mark this special year have been suggested. Proposed events include the opening of a famine walkway/greenway, the launching of a book entitle ‘Shoeboxes’ which tells the stories of many of the resilient families that left our shores and the unveiling of a commemorative famine monument. We are also committed to the staging of a Famine Summer School. Dr Mark McGowan, professor of geography at Toronto University, and Canada’s leading expert on Irish famine emigration, will be coming to as keynote speaker.
Can we welcome you home in 2022?
Does your family have its roots in Coollattin. If so, it would be our honour and privilege to plan your visit to the very spot left behind by your family as they set off for the "promised land'. We are confident that 2022 will be much better for us all and that those who planned coming to us in 2020 will find an opportunity to fulfil their dream in 2022. Please get in touch if you are thinking about coming 'home' in '22. It would be good also if you could indicate in what month you are contemplating coming. This is in no way binding. It will help us in planning in advance our programme for the year ahead. You can contact kevin@coollattincanadianconnection.com or alternatively use the CONTACT page on this website.
Earl Fitzwilliam facilitated your journey to Canada...
It is our privilege to facilitate your journey home.
Welcome to the Coollattin Canadian Connection
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An initiative to reunite our Canadian diaspora with their south Wicklow roots.
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To say I loved every minute would be an understatement. The week exceeded my expectations and I'm so glad to have been part of such a memorable experience. Thanks everyone, especially to Kevin and Eleanor for making the Homeward Trek so fantastic and so very, very unforgettable. - John Hopkins, Vancouver
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