Grosse Īle Stone: Bringing Together
Francophone and Irish in Western Canada
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IRISH AMBASSADOR Declan Kelly officially presents the stone from the AOH Celtic cross at Grosse Īle Quebec to Archbishop Michael Miller on behalf of the Ireland Monument-Canada project. The stone was donated recently by Marianna O'Gallagher.
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COQUITLAM - A stone from the Ancient Order of Hiberninans Celtic cross located on Grosse Īle was officially transferred at Place des Arts Coquitlam by Ambassador Declan Kelly October 5.
The stone, which was originally a part of the Celtic cross at Grosse Īle, was officially transferred by Ambassador Declan Kelly - Ireland's Ambassador to Canada - to Archbishop J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Vancouver on behalf of the Ireland Monument-Canada.
The stone was recently donated by Marianna O'Gallagher of Quebec City.
Master of ceremonies for the event was John O'Flynn of the Canadian County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Also present were Richard Stewart the Mayor of Coquitlam; Councilors of the City of Coquitlam; and Ireland Monument Committee members Brendan Flynn, Al McCabe, and Sharon Schick .
Representing their parish in the Lower Mainland were Pastors Rev. Michael Conaghan of Corpus Christi; Rev. Vincent Hawkswell of St. Patrick's Parish in Vancouver; Rev. Patrick Teeporten of Our Lady of Fatima Parish Coquitlam; and Rev. Alan Boisclair of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Coquitlam.
Special guests included: Joan O'Donoghue, whose husband Padraig died earlier this year. Padraig O'Donoghue will be included on side three of the Ireland Monument for his work in organizing the legal affairs of the Yukon Territory.
Dr. Geraldine Cunningham will be included on side three for her research work in mental health but also specializing in the area of schizophrenia.
Clarence Gallagher, friend of Marianna O'Gallagher, attended on her behalf.
The Ireland Monument Committee was also delighted to welcome Catherine Flynn who designed the original concept for the monument; members of the Irish Heritage Society of Canada; the Irish Women's Network; Tom O'Flynn; Tom Scanlon; and many others from the Irish community in Vancouver, together with members of the Place des Arts, the Coquitlam Heritage Society, and other invited guests.
During his speech, Brendan Flynn who is coordinator of the Ireland Monument-Canada said, "I hope that in having the transfer of the stone within the Francophone community of Western Canada, it will indicate the gratitude of this committee for the wonderful act of friendship and love given to Irish children throughout Quebec and New Brunswick so many years before.
"We look forward to building further friendships between the Francophone and Irish communities in Western Canada to compliment those already built in the Eastern provinces," Flynn added.
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AMBASSADOR KELLY presents the new Gaelic and English sign for Mackin House Museum to the members of the Coquitlam Heritage Society on behalf of The Ireland Monument-Canada. In this photo (L-R): Al McCabe; Melissa Rogeau of Coquitlam Heritage Society; Mayor Richard Stewart; Archbishop J. Michael Miller; Jill Cook of Coquitlam Heritage Society; Ralph Banni of Coquitlam Heritage Society; Ambassador Kelly; and Brendan Flynn.
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He said that while the stone might be considered just a piece of granite stone, it represents the Irish people who became Canadians on reaching Grosse Īle but never had the opportunity to contribute to Canada.
The stone will be an integral part of the Ireland Monument-Canada when the monument is finally built. The committee has submitted an application recently for a site in Vanier Park in Vancouver and await a decision on their application due after October 21.
Until the monument is ready for completion the committee looks forward to the stone being put on display at the Irish and Francophone parishes in the Lower Mainland where everyone can have the opportunity of seeing it.
Following the Place des Arts event, all attendees assembled at Mackin House, former home of Henry James Mackin who was CEO of Canadian Western Lumber at Fraser Mills.
At the Mackin house event, Ambassador Declan Kelly officially presented a new sign with wording in Gaelic and English to indicate the Irish Heritage of Mackin House in the Coquitlam community. The tri colour flag of Ireland was also presented to recognize the Irish Heritage at Mackin House Museum.
Tea and refreshments organized by Thomasina Murdock were enjoyed by all in attendance.
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