A new home.

Although Irish migration to Canada can be traced back as early as the mid-16th century, notable waves occurred between 1780 to 1845, when approximately 1.75 million Irish left their homeland. While a majority of these migrants made their way across the Irish Sea to Great Britain, others journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean during the latter part of this period. Of these transatlantic migrants, approximately twice as many landed in Canada as in the United States.

Canada experienced its most prolific wave of Irish migration when tragedy struck the Emerald Isle in 1845. The Great Famine (1845 - 1849) resulted in 1 million Irish lives lost and a further 1 million emigrating—a tragedy that forever changed Ireland and, in doing so, forever changed Canada. The journey proved treacherous as typhus overwhelmed the ships and quarantine facilities, causing many Irish to perish. Although the story of early Irish migration to Canada is one filled with sorrow, grief, and tribulation, it is also one characterized by ambition, courage, and persistence. While many of these mid-19th century migrants ended up south of the border in the United States, the Irish still composed a large cohort of the Canadian population.

By 1871, the first Dominion of Canada census indicated that the Irish made up almost a quarter of the entire population, becoming the largest ethnic group in every large town and city (with the exception of Montreal and Quebec City). They played a crucial role, bridging the gap between the French, with whom some shared a religion, and the English, with whom some shared a language. From fishermen to merchants, the Irish were quick to adapt and could be found in every sector of the economy throughout Canada. They made significant contributions to Canada’s early infrastructure, building bridges, railways, and roads. The Rideau Canal in the nation’s capital is just one of many examples, stretching from the south end of the city all the way to the Parliament of Canada, where portraits of many Irish migrants and their decedents grace the halls. As David A. Wilson points out in his book The Irish in Canada,

“One of the most striking things about the Irish in Canada is their high degree of political activism. This was not confined to an elite; it permeated the entire ethnic group, whether rich or poor, rural or urban, Catholic or Protestant.”

This passion for political involvement did not dissipate upon arriving in Canada, with the likes of County Louth’s Thomas D’Arcy McGee—a father of confederation and a strong advocate for uniting Catholic and Protestant divides—serving as a prime example of one of the many Irish involved in Canadian confederation.

As Canada evolved and stepped into the 20th century, the Irish had become an integral part of its identity, with early Irish immigrants and their decedents having a profound impact on the evolving landscape of pre-confederate Canada. Waves of Irish immigration continued throughout the century, with the most prominent being the economic migrants of the 1950s.

Today, many Irish continue to come to Canada, albeit a different demographic than those who arrived on the shores of the St. Lawrence River nearly 200 years ago. Younger cohorts of Irish have sought economic opportunities in Canada throughout the 21st century—sometimes for a summer working abroad, and at other times with the aim of securing permanent residency.

Whether 1st generation or 5th, the Irish are a crucial piece of the cultural mosaic that make Canada unique on an international stage. From the 16th century to the 21st, the Irish have been there every step of the way. The Irish Canadian Caucus (ICC) is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization committed to promoting Irish culture from coast to coast, establishing a professional network across Canada, and lobbying all levels of government on initiatives that highlight the historical importance of the Irish in Canada. More information related to the objectives of the ICC can be found on the Mission page.