Monday, March 23, 2026
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshall Christy Roche had a busy week of events in Peterborough and area.
Historical geographer and author Christy Roche had a busy week of events, including his duties as Grand Marshall for the 26th Annual Peterborough St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 15. “The Peterborough St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee thanks Christy for joining us all the way from County Cork in Ireland and considers it an honour to have him as our Grand Marshall this year! He is a great ambassador, and the people of Peterborough were so happy to meet him. He brought the luck of the Irish resulting in the weather being nice by step off time and everyone involved had a great Parade once again!” stated Tim Burke, Parade Chair.
In addition to his duties as Grand Marshall, Christy attended the Irish Concert in Downeyville, had a very successful book signing of his latest book “From Whence They Came” at the Trent Valley Archives, visited the Parade fundraiser at Champs Bar and Grill, met with local historians Patrick Leahy, Dennis Carter-Edwards and Elwood Jones and visited the homes of Rose and Jay Shaughnessy, Brendan and Janet Moher and Grant and Emma Murphy.
On Monday, March 16, Nine Ships 1825 organized an afternoon talk where Christy spoke about “The Rich Heritage of the Blackwater Valley” at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Afterwards Father Tom Lynch gave him a tour and explained the history of St. Peter’s Cathedral.
St. Patrick’s Day was a busy one. He started the morning at mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Douro, followed by a coffee party including traditional Irish musicians at the home of Mike and Rosemary Towns. Then it was off to Traill College at Trent University to visit Principal Michael Eamon to talk about Irish history. He ended the day at the popular Jessie’s Tap and Grill in Ennismore where he chatted with descendants of the Peter Robinson Irish emigrants.
On Wednesday, March 18 he visited the Trent Lakes Historical Society at the Galway Hall and heard about the research they have done regarding the second generations of the Peter Robinson emigrants who settled in that area. He was joined on this trip by a woman of Irish descent who drove all the way from New Jersey, USA to visit with him, as she had last seen him 30 years ago in Ireland.
Christy Roche’s final day in the Peterborough area was an exciting one! He began by travelling to Asphodel-Norwood to visit the Westwood Heritage Centre. There, he met members of the Asphodel-Norwood Cultural and Heritage Committee, who gave him a tour of the centre and their resources. In the evening, he attended a Peterborough Petes game. While at the Memorial Centre he had the opportunity to see the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame and even got to meet Paralympian and Canadian Curling Gold Medallist Jon Thurston. He must have brought the luck of the Irish along with him, because the Petes won!
“Christy truly brought added attention and energy to the St. Patrick’s Week events. His quiet, humble demeanor was warmly received everywhere he went, and he quickly developed a bit of celebrity status.” states Maureen Crowley, Board Member of Nine Ships 1825.
Christy has been hosted by Maggie and Patrick Hennessey at their home in Lakefield for each of his four trips to this area. His visit has now come to an end, and he has returned to his home near the town of Fermoy, Ireland.
“We want to thank everyone who helped to make this such a memorable time for him. This was not Christy’s first visit to our community, and he says he will be back.” states Brendan Moher, Chair of Nine Ships 1825.
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