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Small park along the waterfront featuring sculptures & engravings commemorating Irish immigration.
Eireann Quay, Toronto, ON M5V 3G3, Canada

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Reviews — 8

Domi Dee
at 2024 Mar 31
Domi Dee
at 2024 Mar 31
Such a sad place ..... 🙁 But beautiful view from there.
Karim
at 2023 Nov 23
Karim
at 2023 Nov 23
Ireland Park in Toronto is a poignant memorial and a tranquil green space. Overlooking the waterfront, it features powerful sculptures commemorating Irish immigrants. The park's serene setting and historical significance offer a reflective and moving experience.
Alex Hashemi
at 2023 Oct 26
Alex Hashemi
at 2023 Oct 26
Ireland Park is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. The combination of the serene lake view and the vibrant autumn foliage creates a picturesque scene that's truly breathtaking. The peaceful ambiance, coupled with the rustling leaves, makes it an ideal place to enjoy your time.
Anna P
at 2022 Dec 29
Anna P
at 2022 Dec 29
a great initiative to commemorate Irish immigrants who arrived in Toronto during the Potato Famine (and especially those who perished shortly after arriving). Sadly now (Winter 2022/23) is not the best time to visit the park, as it is surrounded by construction sites - there is some renovation happening at the Canada Malting Co. and some developments by the Billy Bishop drop off/parking area. it is somehow easy to miss, as off the "beaten road" of Martin Goodman trail, and hidden behind other buildings.
gr8tfish gr8tfish
at 2022 Aug 20
gr8tfish gr8tfish
at 2022 Aug 20
Tucked away on the harbourfront, this memorial celebrates Irish heritage and the impact it had on Toronto during the Irish famine. While not that old, it’s sad to see it has become an encampment with feces, urine and other waste around it, a sad and shame way to maintain and commemorate this memorial. Updated- the camp was removed
raki
at 2021 Mar 31
raki
at 2021 Mar 31
On Toronto’s waterfront you will find a poignant tribute to Irish #refugees, who made the harrowing #transatlantic journey to #Canada to escape starvation and disease during the #GreatFamine.

Approximately one million people died, and millions more sought refuge around the globe. Ships carrying refugees were overcrowded and disease-ridden, providing ripe conditions for cholera and typhus to run rampant throughout the vessels. These boats, known as ‘#CoffinShip’, brought the sick, the indigent, the dead, and survivors to #America.

In 1847 around 40,000 #Irish men, women and children landed on the shores of #Toronto. At the time Toronto had only 20,000 inhabitants, but the city welcomed twice more newcomers with open arms. Over 1.2 million Irish #immigrants arrived in Canada from 1825 to 1970 making them the second largest group after the #FrenchCanadians.

The sculptures mirror a similar #FamineMemorial in #Dublin at the Bank of River #Liffey (the last picture). The monuments in Dublin represent The Departure with Toronto's sculptures being The Arrival. A total of seven sculptures stand on the dockside in Dublin, but this number is reduced to five on the Toronto waterfront to signify the tragic loss of life across the #Atlantic.

These spine-chilling bronze statues detail the tragedy of the #GreatHunger. One statue depicts a man lying on the ground emaciated, while another displays a skeletal pregnant woman holding her bulging belly, followed by a meek child standing wide-eyed in stress. Another statue remains bent over with hands elapsed in #prayer, while the last one extends his hands to the sky in #salvation.

In solemnity and quiet contemplation of the park, each statue represents an emotional connection to every immigrant’s journey: hope for new life, the tragedy of hardships, uncertainty for what lies ahead, and excitement for a new beginning. #IrelandPark is a centre for reflection, contemplation, and recognition of the past and the possibilities for the future. The park will surely inspire migrants and visitors of every nationality for years to come.
Olie
at 2018 Jul 08
Olie
at 2018 Jul 08
I am embarrassed by some of the ignorant and insensitive comments in the reviews. Do yourself a favour, read about the park first to understand the subject and the context of the location of this moving monument to an important event in the Canadian and world history. Then go and visit and contemplate your good fortune when compared to the struggles our predecessors had gone through in search of livelihood.

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