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April, 2020
CANADA TIMES
Celebrating little known or forgotten stories of our histor y
From Jeanie Johnston Educational Foundation
-Canada Has an Epidemic Past!
-Baths Were Used for Healing in Ancient Ireland
-Galway European Capital of Culture 2020
-The History of Waterford
-Scott MacLeod's The Irishman - Child of the Gael
155, du Buisson, Pierrefonds, P.Q. H8Y 2Z5
Tel.: 514-341-7777
Email: jeaniejohnstonfdn@videotron.ca
Website: jeaniejohnstonfoundation.com
Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem
Website: hospitaller.ca
Canada Has an Epidemic Past!
By: Sam Allison & Jon Bradley
Chairman's Note
COVID 19 and Ireland
Extract of article by John Spain @IrishCentral
An unexpected side effect of the Covid 19 is
that people have stopped using cash. ATM
withdrawals are down to a fraction of what
they used to be- because people are afraid of Cholera distributing infected water
using cash. We used to scoff at predictions
that cash would vanish in a few years, but Up until now, popular culture has ignored the numerous
now cashiers, small business want your card. destructive epidemics throughout Canada’s past. These
epidemics have included smallpox, cholera, typhus, malaria,
Sales of alcohol are up and grocery delivery and the missed-named Spanish Flu.
is the new norm. As the bars are closed we
are a stay at home family our extra visits to However, the huge media attention to COVID-19 is now
the fridge and purchases of alcohol may gradually bringing the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918-1920 back
predicate a toss- up between AA and Weight into public attention. This specific pandemic waned and waxed
Watchers when all this is over. So many world-wide for three years and, globally, it is estimated that
people now spend their working day at the between 50 and 100-million people died during its run.
keyboard, the realization is growing that this
work can be done just as effectively at home. Among the millions of soldiers demobilized in 1918, hundreds
of thousands returned home infected with influenza. While
When this Covid 19 is over will the workers Canadians remember Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s epic
want to go back? Will these companies lines about the poppy blooming in “no man’s land” in World
realize that forcing people into an office is War I, few realize that he was a front-line doctor who died of
more about control than productivity? pneumonia, probably brought on by the Spanish Flu.
In Ireland we have been running short of PPE Approximately 50,000 to 75,000 Canadians died of this flu
for medical staff, which has led authorities which led to the creation of the Federal Department of Health
to do a deal with Chinese suppliers, worth in 1919. Public health became a government responsibility
hundreds of millions of euro. The first batch indicating that pandemics change official medical policy after
was 20% substandard and 15% of the rest the event.
of the shipment could not be used. Given
what we know about China’ ethics this is Military censorship in the warring countries blocked news of
not surprising. Countries close to China the epidemic so that neutral Spain’s extensive media coverage
like Taiwan and South Korea were not taken of the outbreak led to it being falsely identified/labelled with
in, having had similar experiences, during the disease. Mislabelling is not uncommon. For example,
SARS, knew that the Chinese could not be President Trump, has labelled COVID-19 as “Chinese” while in
trusted. Needless to say we are scrambling earlier times, the English labeled syphilis the “French disease”
the world market for help. while the French labeled it the “Italian disease”. We tend to
blame “foreigners” not nature for pandemics.
2
Smallpox Ravages Montreal
Smallpox migrated from Europe to New France in the
16th-century and spread later to the First Nations as
well as the Inuit in the Far North. The Jesuit priests
introduced smallpox into the Huron-Wendat population
which declined by approximately 60% soon after.
The virus reappeared again between 1755 and 1782.
American troops besieging Quebec City were stricken
with smallpox during the American Revolution, but the
British-Canadian defenders had been inoculated, did
not succumb to the infliction, and their non-depleted
numbers were able to thwart American attacks and
forced their retreat.
Vaccination, using cowpox against smallpox, was
developed by the Englishman Edward Jenner in 1796.
This method was much more successful than variolation
or inoculation that used smallpox itself. Yet, City
of Montreal officials had to force vaccination on its
population almost a hundred years after these preventive
solutions had become well known and readily available.
The Smallpox Epidemic of the 1880s was spread by a
Chicago train on the Intercontinental Railway. Montreal
was particularly hard hit because so many in the
population had resisted vaccination against that disease.
From 1876 to 1881, over 2,500 Montrealer’s, mostly Montreal Statistics Pre 1886
children, died of smallpox. The infected train carrying
smallpox in 1886 continued to Boston where vaccination
was common. In contrast, only six people contracted it
there and only two died.
Montreal was sealed off into districts and people were
vaccinated - literally at gunpoint. Ethical issues involving
individual rights always arise during these epidemics.
Over 5,000 people died in 1886 but due to vaccination,
far fewer English Canadians died than French Canadians.
Vaccination was associated with the “English” and
roundly condemned by the Roman Catholic Church and
Francophone political classes.
Consequently, many 19th-century Americans looked
down on the Canadian health situation in much the same
way Canadians tend now to look down on the American
health system.
An 1886 New York Times article
3
The Cholera & Typhus Scourges Yet, statistics and statisticians are central to fighting
outbreaks. Even Scottish physician Alexander Fleming
The Great Cholera Epidemic of the 1830s, which killed and his accidental discovery of “juice” (named penicillin),
approximately one-third of the inhabitants of Quebec saving millions every day, is ignored.
City, created unrest that fundamentally influenced the
1837-1838 Rebellions. Ships, packed with immigrants Popular culture and school history textbooks overlook
plying the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes, spread epidemics and the medical pioneers of the past; yet
the disease and killed thousands of Canadians. In society wonders in awe as young people conspicuously
response, a Quarantine Station upriver from Quebec ignore danger in the present pandemic.
at Grosse Isle was established.
In the late 1840s, victims of the Irish Famine brought
typhus (“ship fever”), and thousands died at Grosse Isle.
However, inspection procedures for the immigrants
probably increased deaths. Ships were kept offshore
for as long as two weeks thereby nurturing more
disease. To make matters worse, doctors examined
migrants’ mouths using the same tongue depressors.
Approximately 8 - 12% of Irish migrants died on
the Atlantic crossings but 10 - 15% died in Canada!
Immigrants were towed in open barges by steamboats
in the searing heat during one of the hottest summers
on record. There are numerous moving memorials to
these victims right down the St. Lawrence River and
across Lake Ontario into the United States.
A cartoon from Montreal’s 1886 smallpox epidemic
Forgotten Luminaries illustrates that many moral dilemmas arise. Does the
anxious mother (an early anti-vaxer?) hold to her
Besides generating fear at the time and misgivings about medical procedures or does she comply
misinterpretation afterwards, outbreaks generate with official rules?
great admiration for doctors, nurses, and volunteers.
Yet, Canadian history ignores the fine people who died How does society balance individual versus collective
saving others. How many streets commemorate heroes rights? Should we have mass health tests for travelers as
involving pandemics of the past? Where are the public well as in-place citizens? Is “war” an appropriate linguistic
monuments to Canadians such as Norman Bethune metaphor for describing and discussing a pandemic?
for facilitating mobile blood transfusions during the
Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) or Frederick Banting U. S. Senator Hiram Warren Johnson is purported
and Charles Best (1921) for “discovering” insulin? to have stated: “The first casualty when war comes is
truth.” In times of pandemics, while there will be many
A “typical” Canadian, Banting was furious that Best fables, falsehoods and outright deceptions, the public
did not share in the 1923 Nobel Prize for Medicine and, must receive the unvarnished truth in a timely manner.
in an incredible act of generosity, gave the patent for Democratically, all individual decisions must be based
the manufacture of insulin freely to the World such on accurate data equally available.
that all might benefit.
It is time to bring the doctors, nurses, and medical
Further, British physician John Snow, who used researchers of the Canadian and global past into present
statistics to track down the specific water well in 1854 day discourse to foster a more lasting and genuine
that infected London with cholera, thus proving that appreciation for those tackling COVID-19 today.
infected water spread cholera, is forgotten in Canada.
4
Baths Were Used for Healing in Ancient Ireland
By Verdun Ball @Ireland's Own
Public baths were first used in Pakistan, Babylon and And old Irish country folk took great care about how
Egypt over 4,000 years ago. In ancient Ireland, baths they disposed of bath water, as they firmly believed
were used for healing. Fingin, a Druid physician, cured that a trace of the soul went into the water with the dirt.
wounded warriors in baths filled with soothing herbs. Marseilles in France and Savona in Italy were the
Amazingly, hot air baths were used to cure rheumatism. leading coap making centres in Europe in 1192, the
Kown as “tigh and alluis” or sweating houses, they were monk Richard of Devizes remarked upon the number
curious stone structures about two meters long. of soapmakers in these towns and the smelly nature of
their work.
A turf fire was lit inside, then removed as the patient, Long ago in Ireland it was thought unlucky to lend or
wrapped in a blanket, went inside. After profuse give soap as it would was away friendship. And, should
sweating, he came out, plunged into cold water, then a bar of soap break in your hands, this was another sure
was briskely rubbed dry. sign of a broken friendship.
Centuries ago in Ireland it was considered unwise to Benjamin Franklin introduced the curious “Slipper
wash the whole body, as this was thought to wash away Bath” to America from Europe. As the name suggests,
a person’s luck. Bathers were advised to begin washing, it’s shapedlike a slipper, discreetly hiding the bather’s
not at the feet, but at the head as this was the superior body from view.
part of the body.
Yet baths weren’t always popular. “Don’t bath too often,”
Interestingly, this old Irish belief is now backed by the eminent Dr. Johnston once advised a close friend
modern medical science, as doing so lessens the chance “Let well alone and be content. I hate Immersion.”
of a headache due to raised blood pressure.
5
Galway European Capital of Culture 2020
By Ita Marguet
Conceived as a means of bringing citizens of Europe In 2020 Galway is one of two European Capitals of
closer together the project for an award of a European Culture chosen to share the prestigious award with
City of Culture was launched on 13 June 1985 by the Rijika in Croatia. Beginning in the farthest reaches of
European Council of Ministers on the initiative of the Galway, on 'St Brigid's Day' fiery celebrations erupted
Greek Minister of Culture Culture, Melina Mercouri. in towns and villages across the county in keeping
Athens was chosen as the city for this prestigious event with the ancient traditions of the Irish Celtic calendar.
and a long list of others have followed.
The ceremony travelled across the county between
Approaching the Millennium, the concept, rules and 2-7 February encompassing An Spiédal, Tuam,
name were revisited and in 1999 European City of Ballinasloe, Clifden, Portumna and Athenry before
Culture was changed to European Capital of Culture. its final instalment at South Park in Galway City on
In 2005 the Irish City of Cork was the first to be awarded 8 February. The President of Ireland, Michael D.
under the new name. In Guidelines set by the Council Higgins, officially inaugurated Galway 2020.
of the European Union, the designated city ... "shall
establish a community action whose objectives shall Galway is Ireland's fourth largest city and is home to
be to highlight the richness and diversity of European the greatly expanded National University of Ireland
cultures and features they share, as well as promote (NUI). Many artistic, exploratory walks and other
greater mutual acquaintance between European celebrations are scheduled or are due to be announced
citizens". throughout the year to mark the event.
During one year, the European Capital of Culture As an outpost facing west towards America and a
provides an opportunity to showcase its cultural life gateway to Europe, Galway stands at a pivotal vantage
and cultural development. A number of European point on the west coast of Ireland with its spectacular
cities have used the event to transform their cultural rugged and varied scenery.
base and, in doing so, the way in which they are viewed
internationally. The city's historic Spanish Arch is the remainder of a
centuries old bastion as a reminder of the city's multi-
6
cultural, multi-lingual history and present day character On 1 December 2014, the Director General of UNESCO
where imagination and arts flourish. The surrounding announced that Galway was designated a UNESCO
landscape, culture and language have attracted artists City of Film. Under the 'United Nations Creative Cities
and writers for generations. Network' Galway became one of the only eight film
centres in the world to achieve this much sought after
As tangible proof of the friendship between nations status.
a life-size bronze sculpture placed on William Street,
imagines the possible meeting in 1892 of the two writers, The award is a permanent global designation and brings
Oscar Wilde of Ireland (1856-1900) and Eduard Wilde the highest internationally recognised standard of
of Estonia (1865-1933), sitting side by side, as it were, in excellence in the creative industries.
long and lasting literary commune ... "in the spirit of the
Wildes". Ireland's oldest Film Society started in Galway and has
provided a vital platform to screen the work of the first
Their literary genius and reputation have left their mark wave of Irish film maker. It has continued to develop
in Europe and around the world. over the last thirty years with Galway City and county
now boasting an impressive, healthy and growing fil and
In recent decades Galway has seen the rise of a burgeoning television industry.
film, television and animation sector bringing significant
economic activity to the area. Galway is expanding film Known as 'city of the tribes', the term was first used
audiences by building its first Art House Cinema and during the seventeenth century to negatively describe
by supporting the city's film festivals and increasing a group of fourteen powerful and clannish families of
opportunities for film exhibitions in the region. Anglo-Norman origin in Co. Galway, Athy, Blake, Bodkin,
Browne, Darcy, Deane, Ffrench, Ffront, Joyce, Kirwan,
Its overall vision is to showcase the rich heritage, Lynch, Martin, Morris, and Skerrett. The pejorative
tradition and legacy of film in the area, to broaden term was later adopted by the families themselves as a
ongoin film activities and enrich the social economic badge of honour.
and cultural contribution across the region.
7
The History of Waterford
@Ireland's Own
Waterford is the oldest continuous urban settlement on the island of Ireland.
Older than most European capital cities (except for London and Paris)
Waterford can trace its history from Vikings through to Victorians and its
story encompasses English Kings and Irish rebels, from religious scholars to
soccer players, writes Cian Manning.
From Viking Settlement
Vedrafjordr: Viking Waterford The tower has served as a fortification, a mint and later
a prison in the 19th century. It later became the official
WATERFORD IS the only Irish city to retain a link residence of the High Constable of Waterford, the last
to its Viking name. The Vikings used the Norse person to hold this position was James O’Mahony who
Vedrafjordr which we now believe to mean ‘Winter died in the tower in 1901. Reginald’s Tower is now a
Haven’. It is believed that the city was established by museum which houses numerous artefacts related
the Viking Ragnall or Reginald in 914 AD. Vedrafjordr to the Viking history of the city. One such object is
was a triangular shaped settlement located on a tidal the Kite Brooch – the finest example of Viking Age
inlet at the confluence of the Suir and St. John’s rivers. metalwork. Weighing 20.6g the brooch was crafted
A fort named Dundory was located in the area where around 1090 and is made from silver adorned with
Reginald’s Tower stands today. The Irish patriot gold foil and amethyst glass studs. It was uncovered
Thomas Francis Meagher later described the tower over the course of excavations that coincided with the
as “a massive hinge of stone connecting the two great development of City Square Shopping Centre. The
outspread wings, the Quay and the Mall, within which Kite Brooch is a perfect example of Hiberno-Norse
lay the body of the city.” design, a fusion of Irish and Scandinavian traditions
an d a beautifully crafted piece of personal jewellery.
Reginald’s Tower is the oldest urban civic building
of any Irish city. It is named after the founder of the A Royal City: Anglo-Norman Waterford
Viking settlement. The structure was built in two
stages, the ground and first floor completed by the late WATERFORD WAS transformed after the Anglo-
twelfth century while the upper floors were erected in Norman invasion of the island of Ireland. This
the fifteenth century. signalled a complete end of the Viking Age and, with
the marriage of Strongbow and Aoife taking place in
Christ Church Cathedral in Waterford, marked the
entwining of the stories of Britain and Ireland for the
centuries that followed.
The city grew organically, leading to an extension of
the city and its quays. It was conferred a charter by
King John in 1215 which the Director of Waterford
Museum of Treasures Eamonn McEneaney describes
as ‘the Birth Certificate of the city’. The same monarch
strengthened the city’s defences prior to conferring
the charter.
The city has the largest collection of medieval urban
defences in Ireland. During the medieval period
Waterford was enclosed by stone and could boast up
to thirty towers along its fortifications. Today we can
8
see the remains of eight such towers. precedence over the Wexford port. The roll contains
Some of the most notable are Reginald’s Tower, the the oldest image of an Irish city in existence as well as
Beach Tower (located at Jenkins Lane with 15th illustrations of all the English kings to set foot in
century Irish crenellations), and the cylindrically Ireland from Henry II to Edward III.
shaped Watch Tower at Manor Street, which dates to
the 13th century. This dispute finally ended when the citizens of
Waterford invaded New Ross in 1518 and seized the
King John not only conferred a charter and town’s mace. Both the Charter Roll and the mace of
strengthened the ramparts of Waterford but is New Ross can be seen in the Medieval Museum in
believed by the historian R.H. Ryland to have founded Waterford.
the Leper Hospital in 1211. However, someone would
suggest it was established by Robert le Poer in 1185. DURING THE period of the dispute Waterford
was under siege twice, firstly by Lambert Simnel in
Around the time of the Reformation in the 16th century 1487. The city was besieged again in 1495 by Perkin
the hospital came under the control of Waterford Warbeck, a pretender to the throne of King Henry
Corporation. The following century it was decided VII. In attacking Waterford, it was the first time that
that the institution would cater only for the treatment artillery was used in the siege of an Irish city. Canons
of those who suffered from leprosy. It is recorded that at Reginald’s Tower managed to sink one of Warbeck’s
the last leper in Ireland was an inmate of the hospital ships during the eleven-day siege.
in 1775.
Henry VII, recognising the loyalty of the citizens of
Waterford, bestowed to the city the Latin motto
To Crystal City Urbs Intacta Manet Waterfordia meaning the city of
Waterford remains untaken.
Parva Roma: Waterford in the 16th & 17th
century
WATERFORD IS referred to as Parva Roma – little
Rome – in a letter in the 17th century to the Franciscan
friar Luke Wadding, due to its loyalty to the Catholic
Church and it being the home of some significant
ecclesiastical scholars. Wadding was perhaps the most
renowned of such scholars. Born in Waterford he
was educated in Portugal and subsequently became
theologian to the Spanish embassy in Rome. Wadding
established the St.Isidore in Rome and wrote an
eightvolume history of the Franciscan Order.
Urbs Intacta Manet Waterfordia: Late We know that Wadding ran for election to become
Medieval Waterford Pope but was unsuccessful. His lasting legacy is in the
creation of St. Patrick’s feast day on the 17th March to
AS A ROYAL city, Waterford established itself as the liturgical calendar.
the medieval wine capital of Ireland. However, the
creation of the neighbouring port of New Ross in The city was also a hub for the Quaker community in
County Wexford in 1207 led to one of the longest trade the 1650s with the descendants of many of those who
disputes in Irish history. This led to the creation settled becoming influential figures in the affairs of
of the Great Charter Roll of Waterford, a gem of Waterford. These would include Sir Thomas Wyse, an
medieval Ireland. It is made up of documents related influential figure in the history of Irish education in
to the dispute with New Ross promoting Waterford’s the 19th century.
9
Further developments include the construction of
a wooden bridge across the river Suir. Designed by
the American architect Lemuel Cox, the bridge was
originally 832ft in length. It cost £14,000 to build and
was completed by 1794. It was made up forty sets of
oaken piers which led to it acquiring the colloquial
name ‘Timbertoes’. It was finally replaced in 1913 by
John Redmond Bridge, named after the Waterford
city representative to the Imperial parliament in
In the world of business the Quaker influence was at
its most significant, those being the Malcolmsons who
established a cotton mill at Portlaw and later Neptune
Shipping at Adelphi Quay in the city.
There was also the Penroses who became synonymous
with glass making, Strangmans in brewing and Jacobs
who established their first biscuit-making factory at
33 Bridge Street in Waterford.
Crystal City: Waterford in the
18th century
IN THE 18th century, Waterford transformed from
medieval walled enclave to a modern European city.
Sections of the city’s defences were removed, churches
were modified as the city expanded with the diversion
of St. John’s river to create the Mall and the development
of a new suburb called Newtown. The Quay was lined
with ‘Dutch Billy’ style houses as the affluent city
erected street lights in 1732. This prosperity is further
illustrated by the local corporation commissioning Victorian Waterford
the artist William Van Der Hagen to paint his ‘View of
Waterford’ in 1736 for the cost of £20. IN THE 19th century Waterford city is a fervent location
for Irish nationalism. In July 1843, Daniel O’Connell
The refurbishment of Christ Church Cathedral and speaks to a crowd of 300,000 people at Ballybricken.
later the Catholic Cathedral in the latter part of the He is surrounded by prominent members of the local
century, both designed by local architect John Roberts, Temperance Movement.
has led architectural historian Edward McParland
to conclude ‘Waterford more than any other city Over ten years previously in 1830, a meeting at the
in the country in the late 18th century succeeded in town hall to establish a temperance society ended in
expressing its civic dignity with fitting architectural disarray when one attendee argued that total
grandeur.’
10abstinence discriminated against moderate drinkers ANOTHER FIGURE who sought freedom and equality
and a motion was passed agreeing the same. was that of the former slave and abolitionist Frederick
Douglas, who visited the city on the 9th October 1845
The city’s most famous son is Thomas Francis to promote his book Narrative of the Life of Frederick
Meagher, a member of the Young Irelanders who flew Douglas.
the Irish tricolour for the first time at the Wolfe Tone
Confederate Club (now 33 The Mall) in Waterford. The city again continued its tradition of openness and
tolerance into the Victorian period. Later in the
Meagher explained of the flag that ‘the white signifies century, the first Jewish wedding took place in the city
a lasting truce between the “orange” and the “green” on the 14th November 1894 between Jack Lappin and
and I trust beneath its folds, the hands of the Irish Fanny Diamond.
Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in
generous and heroic brotherhood…’
Subsequently Meagher fought in the American Civil
War for the Union and became acting governor of
Montana. This led the historian E.P. Cunningham
to remark of Meagher that in ‘each of his multiple
careers…he made a mark.’
Franciscan Friar and renowned scholar Luke Wadding,
who was born in Waterford. Bottom left – the KIte
Brooch.
11Capital of the Sunny South-East: Waterford the fundamental part he took in framing this, the Free
in Modern Times Constitution of the Irish People.’
The rise of Waterford Crystal would see the name
THE STORY of the city in the 20th century includes of the city go around the world like wind. However,
the tragedies of the First World War to the creation it wasn’t the only area where Waterford made waves.
of the Irish Free State in 1922. Though a more light- In the world of music, the Royal Showband, Val
hearted development was the establishment of the Doonican and later Gilbert O’Sullivan went on to have
first cinema in the city, initially known as the Rink impressive careers. The city can boast a fine tradition
Picture Palace and later renamed the Coliseum in 1915. in sport with players such as Paddy Coad, Davy Walsh,
Alfie Hale and Jim Beglin, a few to have represented
Five years later the first Montessori school in Ireland the Republic of Ireland at international level.
was instigated in the junior section of St. Otteran’s
School at Philip Street in the city. In 1926, the poet The dramatic arts were equalled well served with
William Butler Yeats visited the school and was figures such as Tony Award-winning actress Anna
inspired by the creativity of the students to compose Manahan to the city being a location for Stanley
the poem Among School Children. Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon.
The way the state that we live in today operates owes WATERFORD IS A city that is characterised by the
a large part to the drafting of Bunreacht nah Eireann resolve of its citizens, its openness to visitors and made
(the Irish Constitution) in 1937, the architect of which by its tales of trials and tribulations. In the words of
was Waterford man John J. Hearne. local historian and poet David Toms (based in Oslo)
it is made of ‘the stories that will not wash/bleeding
Eamon de Valera noted Hearne’s efforts by gifting a sounds into sentences/stories into mind.’
copy of the constitution to him with the inscription
‘Architect-in-Chief and Draftsman…in testimony of Waterford is a city proud of its history.
An oil painting by Daniel Maclise of the marriage in Waterford of Strongbow and Aoife,
which is on display in the National Gallery of Ireland.
12Scott MacLeod's The Irishman - Child of the Gael
I was introduced to storyteller Mike Burns at Hurley's winning animated short was featured in festivals in
Irish Pub in the mid 1990s by our mutual friend, the Canada, the United States, Ireland, France and the
musician Toby Kinsella. Mike learned the art of the Netherlands. This film, along with the others we did
seanachie (storyteller/historian) tradition of Ireland together, helps to fill in some of the gaps in the history
as a child from his grandmother Nell in Co. Kerry. of Canadian immigration while also consistently
He has maintained the tradition by performing arousing the viewing public's imagination. My love for
extensively for more than 40 years in Canada, the U. S. these stories and the overwhelming audience reaction
and Europe. Through this work, he has commitment to these films convinced me to rework them into a
hundreds of stories to memory. graphic novel format. The Irishman — Child of the
Gael is the second graphic novel in the series after The
After witnessing Mike's storytelling tradition at Saga of Murdo MacLeod and his first Contact with the
Hurley's Irish Pub, became fascinated with life Abenaki (2018).
histories, and was moved to write and direct two oral
history documentaries, After the war with Hannelore We had the honour of presenting our The Water of Life
(2009) and In Griffintown (2013). I also had the feature at the Celtic Montreal convention in 2015 at
opportunity to produce, direct and animate Mike' s Concordia University in Montreal, which was hosted
stories when we received support from by the late producer and film director Kevin Tierney,
the Filmmakers Assistant Program at National Film who was smitten with Mike's playful Irish turns of
Board of Canada from 2012 to 2015. This funding phrase and language. I sat beside Kevin during the
enabled us to produce four sh01t animated films and a screening as he chuckled his way through the film
feature length film based on his 2009 book of stories repeating funny passages that caught his attention.
entitled, L'Eau de La Vie /The Water of Life (Chemin As a gesture of our gratitude this graphic novel is
des Cantons). dedicated to the late photographer and dear friend Joe
Donohue, Kevin Tierney and Marianna O'Gallagher,
When we recorded Mike telling The Irishman — Child the author of Eyewitness Grosse Isle 1847 and Grosse
of the Gael (2014) for the film version, he was able to Ile — Gateway to Canada 1832 — 1937. Marianna and
give us the story in two flawless takes, one in English her books were the foundation to my understanding
and one in French, with no script. The resulting award- Of the Irish diaspora in Canada.
13Thematically The Irishman —Child of the Gael is The Irishman —Child of the Gael
one of many untold European diaspora stories in
Canada. I believe there is still more room for Canadian Synopsis
illustrators, animators and filmmakers to explore this In The Irishman - Child of the Gael, our narrator, Sean
unique area ofour history, as these stories are unknown recounts his maternal and paternal ancestors' dramatic
to many Canadians and the world at large. A big part immigrant experiences in Canada from the 1800s to
of my interest in these cross-cultural stories from the early 20th century. Fleeing desperate conditions
our history results from growing up in the culturally in Ireland, survival in the new world is a struggle of
diverse city of Montreal, coming from Hibemo-Norse a different sort, involving quarantine, isolation and
lineage, and from working with the Irish communities backbreaking employment, building the Victoria
in Canada and Ireland over my thirty year career in Bridge, constructing the railways and canals that will
music, art and film. open Canada's frontiers to trade and settlement.
This graphic novel is based on Mike Burns’ book
Perhaps the most relevant takeaway from Mike's of stories entitled the Water of Life (Chemins des
stories are that his themes of political famine, forced Cantons, 2009). The illustrations by Montreal
evictions, immigration, exile and suffering continue Filmmaker G. Scott Macleod have been adapted from
to be revelant today as various cultures still suffer his animated film of the same story.
the misfortune of being victims of wars, faminesm
economic hardship, and ecological disasters. Acknowledgements
Mike’s stories are universal in that they offer wise We would like to St — Patrick's Society of Montreal
reflection and speak to all humankind about these and Ciné Gael Montreal, for their financial support and
tragic situations that continue to arise in our world. to all of the contributors to our Go Fund Me campaign
I produced this work from the point of view that if which made this publication possible. An Gie, David
we do not learn from our history, we are doomed to Astrof, Cathy Benny, Howard Bokser, Maurice Byrne,
repeat it. Joe Donohue. Shaun Fawcett, Chris Gillett, Veronika
Krausas, Taras Kulish, Tone Lund, Brendan Nolan,
G. Scott MacLeod BFA MA Naney Stewart. Craig Sauvé, Skaar, Kunt Skaar, Ezra
Artist Soiferman, Philippe Spurrell, Francesca Trop, Dana
Montreal, 2020 Velan and Jane Wheeler.
14Honorary Patrons
His Excellency Jim Kelly
Irish Ambassador to Canada
The Jeanie Johnston Educational Foundation
Hon. Jean Charest
Former Premier of Quebec
The Irishman – Child of the Gael graphic novel launch
Hon. Pierre Marc Johnson
Former Premier of Quebec
Richard Pound, CC, OQ, QC, LLD
Chancellor Emeritus
McGill University
Mohawk Council, Kahnawake
Christine Zachary-Deom
Peter Trent CD
Former Mayor Westmount
Dr. Muiris O’Ceidigh,
LLB. MBA, MSc Economics
Directors
Chairman The Irishman – Child of the Gael graphic novel is based on a story by award
Leo Delaney KH
winning Irish storyteller Mike Burns and G. Scott MacLeod’s award winning
V. Chairman film The Irishman - Child of the Gael (2014). Mike Burns will give a few short
Noel Burke, M.Ed.
stories and the animated film version will be screened. The Irishman - Child
Ron Canuel B.Ed of the Gael Trailer https://vimeo.com/99198996 http://thewateroflife.ca
Former CEO. Canadian Education Assoc.
Edcan Network.
The graphic novel will be targeted to youth and schools to open up
Glen P. Carlin. Eng. F CAE., F.EIC, conversations and learning around immigration issues and the recent famine
Tino Bordonaro, M.A. era (1840s) Irish mass grave site that discovered in Montreal during the REM
English Montreal School Board light rail construction in 2019.
Patrick Buckland Ph.D
English PDF version will be available at McIntyre Media with our other
Eileen Marcil Ph.D
educational products https://www.mcintyre.ca/titles/300152N PRESS CTV
Chris Culpin M.A . Oxon, - An artistic look back at the Irish in Quebec https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/
British & Irish Education Ministry video?clipId=1919937 We would like to thank the St.Patricks Society and
Brian Young, Emeritus History, Cine Gael Of Montreal for their support.
McGill University
Ben Walsh, B.A.
British Educational Technology
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Scott MacLeod, Educational films
Rob Lutes B.A. Dip. Journalism
Alan Hustak, Author
Victor Boyle, National Chair, Ancient
Order Hibernians
Legal Counsel
Francois Morin
Borden, Ladner, Gervais, LLD
History Adviser
Sam Allison, B.Sc.(LSE) M.A. (McGill)
Charitable Reg: 858579196RR001
and the MacDonald Stewart FoundationYou can also read
