Irish Quebecers: Encyclopedia II - Irish Quebecers - History

Irish Quebecers - History

Quebec has seen substantial immigration from Ireland in its history, especially during the Irish Great Famine. One notable event of the Irish settlement is the disaster at Grosse-Île, when many Irish children were left as orphans in Quebec. These children were adopted mainly by the French speakers of Lower Canada. Some of these children fought for their right to keep their Irish surnames, and were largely successful.

Mixing between the Irish and the French Quebecers was common. In the pre-Quiet Revolution religious Quebec, the common Catholicism of the two groups meant they were more likely to intermarry, more than with the English and Scottish Protestant settlers. Today, there are many people in Quebec with Irish surnames. Some have assimilated into Quebec culture while some others are now part of the local English speaking community. One of those households is the Johnson family, a political dynasty that gave Quebec three Premiers, all of different parties and ideologies.

Many descendants of Irish Quebecers amassed large fortunes in Montreal in the 1920s, but most lost their fortunes in the Stock Market Crash of 1929. Irishmen were also instrumental in building Victoria Bridge in Montreal. Near the entrance of this bridge is a great stone bearing an inscription commemorating the Irish who died after arriving to the city. One of the greatest influences the Irish had and still have on their new compatriots is within music. The music of Quebec has adopted, and adapted, the Irish reel as its own.

Begun in 1824, the Saint Patrick's Day parade of Montreal, Quebec is still the oldest organized large parade of its kind in North America.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki