From Ballyhoura to Canada: Wreath Laying in Cobh Marks 200 Years Since Peter Robinson Emigration
On May 9th, a moving wreath-laying ceremony took place in Cobh, Co. Cork to mark the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Settler Emigration Scheme, a significant chapter in Irish-Canadian history. The event was initiated and organised by Ballyhoura Development, in collaboration with key partners, to honour the memory of over 500 families from the Ballyhoura region and surrounding areas who departed on 11 ships for Upper Canada in 1823 and 1825.
The event, emceed by Ballyhoura Development Manager Amanda Slattery, was attended by Mayor of Cork County Council Cllr Joe Carroll, Irish Ambassador to Canada John Concannon, Canadian Embassy representative David Kyffin, Limerick City and County Council Cllr Gregory Conway, and 1825 Ships Inc. Chairperson Brendan Moher of Peterborough, Canada.
“The commemoration event was a special ceremony of remembrance, reflection, and reconnection—honouring the legacy of those who departed two centuries ago,” said Amanda Slattery.
Descendants from Canada and America took part in the ceremony. Paul Hickey of Peterborough, a descendant of a family from Doneraile who sailed on the Star, laid a wreath on behalf of the 1825 emigrants. Glenn O’Meara of Minnesota, whose ancestors left Rathcormac in 1823 aboard the Stakesby, laid a wreath in memory of the earlier group. The blessing was led by Father Tom McDermott of Cobh.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of a commemorative plaque by Brendan Moher, Chairperson of Nine Ships 1825 Inc. Peterborough, to Padraig Casey, CEO of Ballyhoura Development, representing the communities of the Ballyhoura region:
“May the vast waters of the North Atlantic never separate us from the warm fires we forever will share at the hearth of our Irish and Canadian families.”
Francis Dwyer, a descendant of the 1825 Dwyers of Tipperary from Cranbrook, British Columbia, addressed the gathering at Cobh Heritage Centre:
“This is truly a day for celebration. One to honour the courage, the fortitude, the hope, and the success of the migrants. I am one of them—descended, Canadian, a son of Ireland also—and I am so proud to be here with you today.”
The event culminated in the official unveiling of a special exhibition on the Peter Robinson Settlers in Cobh Heritage Centre by Ambassador John Concannon, alongside the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Mayor of Cork County Council Cllr Joe Carroll.
Reflecting on the occasion, Glenn O’Meara stated:
“I can’t express the gratitude and fondness we all felt. The Ballyhoura, Nine Ships, and Cobh Heritage Centre teams created a powerful and meaningful experience. I feel blessed to have been part of it.”
This ceremony marks the first of two major commemorative events. Ballyhoura Development will host the larger “Ireland-Canada Homecoming” from September 15th to 21st, 2025, welcoming descendants of the Peter Robinson Settlers back to the Ballyhoura region for a week of reconnection, storytelling, and shared heritage.
“This was a truly unique experience for the descendants of this emigration, and a special day to highlight a once forgotten piece of our history,” said Amanda Slattery. “We thank all who supported and attended this memorable occasion.”
Breeda Keane-Shortt, Cobh Heritage Centre, added:
We are thrilled to collaborate with Ballyhoura Development on this initiative and further demonstrate the emigration story of Ireland and Canada and its significance to Cobh, and look forward to sharing the exhibition on the Peter Robinson Settlers Emigration Scheme as a key feature of the heritage centre experience.”
Further information can be found on Nexicom Email Protection has detected a possible fraud attempt from “mhq14710c3link.ballyhoura.org” claiming to be www.ballyhouradevelopment.com.
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Images by Brian O’Keeffe:
- All key photos are available in the Google Drive Folder.
- Description of the attached photos:
- Group Photo 1: David Kyffin (Counsellor and Program Manager at Embassy of Canada to Ireland), Eoighan Murphy (Chair of the Cork branch of the Irish Hotel Federation), Cllr Joe Carroll (Mayor of Cork County Council), Amanda Slattery (Manager at Ballyhoura Development CLG), John Concannon (Irish Ambassador to Canada), Brendan Moher (Chairperson of Nine Ships 1825 Inc. Peterborough, Canada), Glenn O’Meara (Descendant of O’Meara, Rathcormack 1823, Minnesota US), Pádraig Casey (CEO of Ballyhoura Development CLG).
- Wreath Laying Ceremony: Father Tom McDermott blessing the wreaths held by Peter Robinson descendants, Paul Hickey (from Peterborough, descendant of Joanna Hickey, Doneraile, 1825 voyage on the Star) and Glenn O’Meara (from Minnesota, whose ancestors left Rathcormac in 1823 aboard the Stakesby)
- Perfectly tossed (and blessed) wreaths formed the “infinity loop” symbol on the water’s surface in the harbour—perhaps a sign that what we humans—Irish, Canadians, and Americans—can achieve together is unlimited, endless, and without bounds.
- Groups Photo 2: Front (kneeling): Francis Dwyer (descendant of the Dwyers, Tipperary Town, 1825 voyage on the Elizabeth, British Columbia) and Nichola Grufferty (Development Officer at Ballyhoura Development CLG).
Back row, L–R: Pádraig Casey (CEO of Ballyhoura Development CLG); Mr. and Mrs. Ed O’Sullivan (Descendants of Darby and Alice O’Sullivan, Mitchelstown, 1825 voyage on Regulus – Peterborough); Kris Hickey (wife of descendant Paul Hickey, Peterborough, Canada); Amanda Slattery (Manager at Ballyhoura Development CLG); Chris Nikkel (researcher living in Ireland, originally from Canada); Paul Hickey (descendant of Joanna Hickey, Doneraile, 1825 voyage on the Star, Peterborough, Canada); Glenn O’Meara (descendant from Minnesota, whose ancestors left Rathcormac in 1823 aboard the Stakesby); and Paul Denning (Boston, descendant of the Hurlys and Englishs of Templetenny and Bantry, 1825 voyages on the Amity and Star).
Notes:
The Peter Robinson Settler Emigration Scheme:
2025, 200 years on from the emigration scheme, tracing the names on the passenger lists reveals and unfolds families, connections, and ties on both sides of the Atlantic. Ballyhoura Development has identified the families who left the region almost 200 years ago to Ontario and the Ottawa Valley in Canada. This is based upon the records of the scheme maintained by Peter Robinson. These show that there was a total of nearly five hundred distinct nuclear families and unattached adults in the scheme, the great bulk being families with two parents and their children.
The records of the scheme list the passengers on each ship under family headings and give ages, occupations and former residences. There is also a ‘remarks’ column where each supporting landlord is named, and where in many cases comments are recorded on the disposition of the adults, deaths occurring during the voyage, and other comments, written by Robinson.
Information about the Peter Robinson Settlers programme: Nexicom Email Protection has detected a possible fraud attempt from “mhq14710c3link.ballyhoura.org” claiming to be https://www.ballyhouradevelopment.com/listing/category/the-peter-robinson-settlers-an-assisted-emigration-programme
Information The Ireland Canada Homecoming 2025: Nexicom Email Protection has detected a possible fraud attempt from “mhq14710c3link.ballyhoura.org” claiming to be https://www.ballyhouradevelopment.com/peter-robinson-settlers-homecoming-2025
Ballyhoura Development is a community-led Local Development Company, and a registered charity, which works with communities, families, individuals and businesses in the Ballyhoura region of East Limerick and North Cork. The company has successfully managed, coordinated and implemented a wide range of national and European projects and programmes since its establishment in 1989, and currently delivers over 30 programmes, focussing on three key aims of:
- Community Development
- Economic Development
- Environmental Development
For more information: Nexicom Email Protection has detected a possible fraud attempt from “mhq14710c3link.ballyhoura.org” claiming to be www.ballyhouradevelopment.com
Ballyhoura Development CLG Links:
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Twitter: @BallyhouraDev
LinkedIn: Ballyhoura Development CLG
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