Rideau Canal Celtic Cross Unveiling Ceremonies
OTTAWA - A memorial to the canal workers and their families who died building the Rideau Canal between 1826_32 was unveiled on June 27. The monument is located along the Rideau Canal near the Bytown Museum (east side of the Canal).
Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli and Ireland's Ambassador to Canada Martin Burke gave an address followed by Pat Kelly, President of the Irish Society of Ottawa, Tony O'Loughlin, President of the Kingston Irish Folk Club, and Sean McKenny, Chair of the Rideau Canal Celtic Cross Committee and President of the Ottawa and District Labour Council.
Committee members who worked on the project were Sean McKenny, Ann Kitchen, Allan Meltzer, Michael McBane, Christine Crawford, Mike Heenan, Ric Dagenais, Tony O'Loughlin and Ken Clavette.
The ceremony opened with Teresa Healey singing Lament for Chaffey's Locks (Caoineadh ar Comhla Chaffey), Christine Crawford recited a poem entitled Rideau Canal Song. Musicians who performed were Allan Meltzer, Don Kavanagh, Don McViegh, Joel Joy and Patrick La Plainte.
During the ceremonies, individuals from the Bytown Museum dressed in period costume were present at the event and afterwards, attendees were invited on a tour of the Bytown Museum to view displays of the Canal and those who built it. After the tour, everyone was invited over to Mother McGintey's Pub at 67 Clarence Street for a reception hosted by Pat Kelly.
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