Putting the Irish back in St. Patrick's Day
The local chapter of the Irish Canadian Cultural Association is hoping people will take time to learn about their roots this week
Ask many people why St. Patrick's Day is important and you will most likely get the reaction, 'It's a great day to party and drink green beer.' For a dedicated group in New Brunswick, the day is one of the 365 which is spent reflecting on their heritage.
Linda Evans, a woman involved with the local Irish Canadian Cultural Association, has her fingerprints all over everything Irish. Linda does more than just think about it, she puts her convictions to practice.
"I think it is important where ever you are from, to celebrate your culture," she says. Linda backs up her sentiments with a quote from the famous Irish Playwright, Sean O'Casey.
"There is no future in the past, but without knowing the past you can't go forward," he said.
The local chapter of the Association has a determined group of Irish who are doing their part in chronicling and exhibiting their culture. Hosting their collections of perish records and family histories, the Thomas Williams house is now home to the Irish Room.
"The Irish Room is going to be a gathering place for people," explains Chair of Moncton Irish Fest, Mike Magee. "It is a place where they can see family articles and family letters."
The room will have information from all perish records gathered from three neighboring counties. With 60,000 entries there is bound to be a wealth of inscriptions to help reclaim the past.
"By having this room we are connecting into a body of resources to build that center as a gathering place for all Irish history," shares Mike. Finding all the information has proven to be a daunting task due to one determining factor.
After the infamous potato famine, the Irish were devastated to the point of silence. Many did not want to talk about the atrocities they faced back home. When they came to Canada, their general welcome was not a warm one.
"Many people had to change their name to get a job," explains Mike, whose family name was altered at one point as well. "When they docked in Saint John there were signs reading 'No Irish Need Apply'."
For Mike, celebrating a day of remembrance is a time to reflect on where his family came from. He notes the vibrancy of the Irish culture is told through music, singing, dance and storytelling because for many, that was their only possession when they settled here in Canada.
A highlight of the Irish Room is that within those walls lies the capacity to trace Irish family roots throughout the world. The Association says that requests for genealogy come from everywhere.
"Genealogy is the common thread throughout the world," says Mike. "Something happened and people are interested in again about knowing their past."
Linda, who is also compiling information for the Associations revised website launching in May (www.newireland.ca), says that although recognition of the Irish history is done through the group, they still haven't told the whole story.
New Brunswick's Irish population is a strong thirty-eight percent with many of the percentage not realizing their roots. Evans goes into schools to educate students about Irish history.
"Children are not aware of their past," she says. "The mission is to get it out there." As for the fact that many people are just Irish one day a year, St. Patrick's Day is not to be disqualified as a history lesson.
"At least they have that as a reminder," says Mike.
St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated by the Association from the March 10-17th with events such as Irish Karaoke, Irish Breakfast, Mass and Flag Raising at the city hall.
Irish Nite, which is sure to be a hit will be held at 5:30 at the Great Canadian Pub. Everyone is welcome to bring out your green and have a good time.
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