Nine Ships 1825 Inc. – Peter Robinson Irish Emigration Bicentennial – Marks Irish Heritage Month in Canada.

March 3, 2025

            Many events will be held in the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes area to mark Irish Heritage Month in Canada this March. A presentation about the Nine Ships 1825 – Peter Robinson Irish Emigration Bicentennial will take place at City of Kawartha Lakes Council on March 4th. The Irish flag will be raised and a proclamation read at the County of Peterborough on March 5th and at the City of Peterborough on March 10th.  A talk about the Peter Robinson Settlers and an Irish flag raising will take place at the Norwood Town Hall on Tuesday, March 18th.

            The Peterborough Canadian Irish Club is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year and will once again be holding their St. Patrick’s Celebrations on Saturday, March 8th at St. Joseph’s Hall in Douro from 1pm-11pm. St. Patrick’s Concerts will be held in Downeyville on March 14th and 15th.

            Finally, the 25th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 16th at 2pm starting at City Hall in Peterborough. Join the fun to hear great music, see family floats and celebrate all things Irish in Peterborough!

            What is extra significant this year during Irish Heritage Month is the fact that this is the 200th Anniversary of the Peter Robinson Emigration of 1825. This Bicentennial marks a pivotal moment for our community and the resilience and heritage of 2,024 Irish men, women, and children who made the journey and settled in the area and laid the foundation for a vibrant, diverse community in Peterborough and surrounding area.

Nine Ships 1825 Inc. has been formed to coordinate and promote all the local Irish related heritage/historical and community groups that are planning events during this Bicentennial year. Nine Ships 1825 Inc. was named after the nine ships that carried the Irish emigrants across the Atlantic in 1825.

“We invite everyone in our community to come out and enjoy great music, stories and fun!  Asphodel, Douro, Downeyville and Ennismore will hold “homecoming events this summer”. We particularly invite you to join the special events and commemoration during Bicentennial Week August 1-10, 2025.” states Nine Ships 1825 Chairperson Brendan Moher

The history of the Robinson Irish emigrants is intertwined with that of the Indigenous peoples of the region, particularly the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg (Mississauga) First Nations on whose territory the Robinson emigrants came to call home. The Bicentenary of the Robinson emigration invites reflection on these complex histories, honouring the resilience of the early settlers, while respecting truth and reconciliation efforts within our community.

The website www.nineships1825.com is designed to share information about the Bicentennial project and everyone is encouraged to visit the site to learn more.

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For more information please contact:  

Nine Ships 1825 Inc. Director on the Board and Secretary

Maureen Crowley – Email:    Tel. 705 939-6135

Caption: [From left to right] Nine Ships 1825 Chair Brendan Moher, Board Member Maureen Crowley, Mayor Jeff Leal and Warden Bonnie Clark at the Irish Flag Raising at Peterborough City Hall last March 11, 2024 to celebrate Irish Week in Peterborough.