During Black ’47 — 175 years ago — the Irish Famine prompted more than 100,000 desperate Irish men, women, and children to leave their homeland and make a perilous journey across the Atlantic to Canada. Many did not survive the voyage.
The short documentary video, Great Famine Voices Hamilton, Ontario is part of the ongoing Great Famine Voices series produced and curated by Dr. Jason King for Ireland’s National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park, and Irish Heritage Trust.
The premiere will take place online on Sunday, May 29 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Registration is free.
The documentary focuses on the migrants who made the journey through the quarantine station at Grosse Île, Quebec and down the St. Lawrence River to settle in the region of Hamilton, Ontario.
It features Irish emigrants and the descendants of Famine migrants, who share family letters and artifacts, along with historical perspectives from Dr. Laura Smith, historical researcher and advisor to the Canada Ireland Foundation.
Great Famine Voices Hamilton, Ontario is funded by the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme.
