Peter Robinson 1825 Irish Emigration – Commemoration Schedule of Events
August 1-10 • 2025
Registration and tickets will be available through our website in the coming weeks. Click the + to expand on the event for more information. For more details and events happening all year please see our full calendar.
Friday
August 1
10:00 AM • Peter Robinson's Peterborough - Walking Tour
Location: Start 499 George Street North, Peterborough, End at Millennium Park 131 King Street, Peterborough
Time: 10AM to 12PM
Details: Walking tour of historically significant sites in downtown Peterborough, presented by Trent Valley Archivist Elwood Jones.
2:00 PM • Bicentennial Official Opening Ceremony & Irish Flag Raising
Location: City Hall 500 George St. N. • Peterborough
Time: 1:00PM to 2:00PM
Details: The Irish flag will be proudly raised to mark to beginning of a commemorative week from August 1st to 10th, dedicated to the legacy of the Peter Robinson settlers.
3:00 PM • Opening and Blessing of Bicentennial Heritage Fair & Welcome Hub
Location: Knights of Columbus Hall • 317 Hunter St. W. • Peterborough
Time: 3PM to 5PM
Details: Official opening of the Peter Robinson Bicentennial Heritage Fair and Hospitality Room. Local community and history displays, books, & souvenirs.
Saturday
August 2
10:00 AM • Archives & Open Air Museums - Bus Tour
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 10AM to 4PM
Details: Visit Peterborough Museum and Archives, Hope Mill, Lang Pioneer Village Museum, Keene.
Registration Required.
7:00 PM • Grand Irish Gathering 2025
Location: Canadian Canoe Museum • 2077 Ashburnham Dr • Peterborough
Time: 7PM to 11PM
Details: Peterborough Canadian Irish Club presents the Grand Irish Gathering 2025.
- 7:00 - 11:00PM Tour the Canadian Canoe Museum
- 7:00PM Reception with harpist, appetizers, and cash bar.
- 8:00 - 9:00PM Welcome, Introductions, Speeches Janet McCue – Healing with drums hand drum group
- 9:00 - 11:00PM Hunt the Hare (modern Celtic band)
Tickets available for purchase. See www.nineship1825.com or email
8:00 PM • Peterborough Musicfest
Location: Del Crary Park • 100 George St. N. Peterborough
Time: 8PM
Details: Free outdoor concert held beside Little Lake by the City of Peterborough. For more details please see: https://www.ptbomusicfest.ca/
Sunday
August 3
10:30 AM • Young's Point '200 Years on the Water' - Bus Trip
Location: Start and end at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 10:30AM to 4PM
Details: Join other visitors and Peter Robinson Immigration ancestors for a day trip to enjoy the activities happening in Young's Point during their commemorative day of '200 Years on the Water'. Highlights will include a ceremonial water voyage from the landing spot of Francis Young to Lock 27, live music, exhibits on traditional hunting, trapping, etc. and a self-guided walking tour.
Good to know: This is a day of free-flow outdoor events that requires walking, standing on feet during visits and festival activities. Recommended to bring a foldable lawn chair as outdoor seating options will be limited. Lunch details for this day trip to follow.
11:00 AM • Downeyville 'Homecoming & Jamboree' - Bus Trip
Location: Start and end at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 11AM to 4PM
Details: Join other visitors and Peter Robinson Immigration ancestors for a day trip to enjoy the annual 'Homecoming & Jamboree' activities happening in Downeyville, the settlement area where the largest group of Peter Robinson Settlers made their home. Highlights include their music jamboree, step-dancing and BBQ with a visit to Downeyville's Pioneer Cemetery en route.
Good to Know: This is a full day of free-flow outdoor events that requires walking, standing on feet during visits and festival activities. Lunch options are provided during the day but NOT included.
12:30 PM • Young's Point: 200 Years on the Water
Location: Young's Point
Time: 12:30 PM
Details: Visit the community of Young’s Point where Stoney and Clear Lakes flow into Katchewanooka. Welcoming descendants of Francis Young, past and present residents of Young’s Point and area, neighboring First Nations, cottagers and tourists to celebrate our heritage and community.
- Commemorative Mass and self-guided cemetery tour at Our Lady of Good Counsel on the shores of Lake Katchewanooka.
- Ceremonial water voyage from the landing spot of Francis Young to Lock 27, symbolizing the importance of water to the family and the future community.
- Opening ceremonies at Lock 27 – Highlight various aspects of our history.
- Celebrate Irish Heritage with musicians & dancers.
- Recognize the support and friendship of First Nation Community from the earliest arrival of Francis Young.
- Historical documents, photographs, books & stories of the history.
- Self-guided walking tour of historical sites and local businesses to learn, shop, eat, drink and reunite with friends and family.
1:00 PM • Downeyville Homecoming and Jamboree
Location: Downeyville
Time: 1PM
Details: Downeyville Homecoming Day and Jamboree. Visit the settlement area where the largest group of Peter Robinson Settlers made their home. Events All Day.
- 9am – Pioneer Cemetery Mass
- 1pm – Jamboree: Music, Stepdance, Songs, Fun, History: Family Trees, Books, Calendars and more.
- Baseball games.
6:00 PM • Traditional Irish Céilí
Location: Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building – Lang Pioneer Village Museum14 Lang Road • Keene
Time: 6PM to 10PM
Details: To come.
Monday
August 4
Peter Robinson Day
1:00 PM • The Peter Robinson Immigration Experiment: Historic Talk and Music
Location: Market Hall, 140 Charlotte Street, Peterborough
Time: 1PM - 3PM
Details: Historical talk accompanied by music and songs about the Peter Robinson Emigration by local musician Glen Caradus
3:00 PM • Teatime Tour: Hutchison House, Peterborough Lift Locks, and Trent Valley Archives
Location: Pickup at Market Hall, 140 Charlotte Street, Peterborough and Drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 3PM to 6PM
Details: Visit Hutchison House, The Peterborough Lift Lock, Trent Valley Archives, etc. More details to follow.
Registration Required.
7:00 PM • St. Peter's Cemetery - Walk and Talk Tour
Location: St. Peter's Cemetery
Time: 7PM to 9PM
Details: Details to come.
Registration Required.
Tuesday
August 5
9:00 AM • Community Roots Bus Tour: Ennismore & Young's Point
Location: Pick up and Drop off at Holiday Inn - 150 George St N. Peterborough
Time: 9AM to 4PM
Details: Explore the communities of Ennismore and Young's point, established by Peter Robinson Irish Emigrants and steeped to this day in regional heritage and folklore. Hosted by community members, you'll visit key locations that provide a historic and present day context for those looking to reconnect with the land and people of their ancestral roots in the region.
Good to Know: This is a full day tour with lunch included.
7:00 PM • Trans-Atlantic Colonization & Consequence: A Panel Discussion on Impacts of The 1825 Peter Robinson Immigration
Location: Bagnani Hall • Trent University • 311 Dublin Street, Peterborough
Time: 7PM to 9PM
Details: Presented by Nine Ships 1825 Inc. and Traill College, this discussion will examine the context and impact of the unique Peter Robinson migration experiment on the Irish and First Nations communities as both adjusted to the many challenges of their new circumstances. The evening, moderated by Dr. Michael Eamon (Principalof Catharine Parr Trail College, Trent University) will provide perspective and research from Jack Hoggarth (Associate Professor, Trent University) and Dr. Mark McGowan (St. Michael's College, University of Toronto).
- Dr. Michael Eamon – Catharine Parr Traill College (Moderator)
- Jack Hoggarth – Trent University
- Dr. Laura Peers – Trent University
- Dr. Mark McGowan – University of Toronto
Wednesday
August 6
9:00 AM • Community Roots Bus Tour: Downeyville
Location: Pickup and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 9:00AM to 1PM
Details: Explore the community of Downeyville, established by Peter Robinson Irish Emigrants and steeped to this day in regional heritage and folklore. Hosted by community members, you'll visit key locations that provide a historic and present day context for those looking to reconnect with the land and people of their ancestral roots in the region.
Registration Required.
3:30 PM • PCIC Historic Guided Boat Tour: Otonabee River
Location: Departure and drop-off at Liftlock Boat Cruise • 92 George St. N. Peterborough (next to Holiday Inn)
Time: 3:30PM to 5:30PM
Details: Boat tour with commentary by historian Don Willcock. Imagine the journey settlers took as they paddled scows (shallow flat bottomed boats) up the Otonabee River to Scotts Mills (Peterborough).
- Live Irish music.
- Cash bar and snacks.
Registration Required.
8:00 PM • Peterborough Musicfest
Location: Del Crary Park • 100 George St. N. • Peterborough
Time: 8PM
Details: Free outdoor concert held beside Little Lake by the City of Peterborough. Irish musical entertainment details TBA.
Thursday
August 7
9:00 AM • Community Roots Bus Tour: Keene, Westwood, Norwood & Douro
Location: Pickup and Drop off at Holiday Inn - 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 9AM to 4PM
Details: Explore the communities of Keene, Westwood, Norwood and Douro, established by Peter Robinson Irish Emigrants and steeped to this day in regional heritage and folklore. Hosted by community members, you'll visit key locations that provide a historic and present day context for those looking to reconnect with the land and people of their ancestral roots in the region.
Good to Know: This is a full day tour with lunch included.
Registration Required.
4:30 PM • 4th Line Theatre: Wild Irish Geese with transportation
Location: Pick up and drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 4:30PM to 9PM
Details: Be captivated by an evening of theatre with the World Premier of 'Wild Irish Geese', the story of Irish settlers and their journey to the region in 1825. A portrayal with political and social perspectives of Peter Robinson, the face of the emigration plan and the many Irish families that left everything behind to 'escape the brutal poverty which they were facing in Ireland'. A play of epic historical proportions set in the breath-taking backdrop of the 4th Line Theatre's open air stage.
Good to Know: This event includes theatre tickets AND transport. Dinner options are available on-site but NOT included. Those interested in seeing this 4th Line production during their stay, who do NOT require transportation can purchase theatre tickets direct from 4th Line Theatre's Website.
Friday
August 8
8:00 AM • Kingston Encampment & Thousand Islands - Tour by Bus and Boat
Location: Holiday Inn - 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 8AM to 7PM
Details: Trod on yet another compelling place along the Peter Robinson migrants' journey in 1825 following their Atlantic crossing. Experience first hand the grounds at Fort Henry and Point Frederick where the Irish emigrants encamped for over a month in the blazing summer heat, waiting for the next leg of their journey to Cobourg and on to Peterborough. Exhibits and displays portray hardships faced by the Irish during their stay. Following a guided site tour before enjoying a cruise - in modern day comfort - through the spectacular Thousand Islands before returning to Peterborough.
Good to Know: This is a full day experience with lunch options at Fort Henry (not included) and a box dinner (included).
Registration Required.
10:00 AM • Peter Robinson's Peterborough - Walking Tour
Location: Start at Confederation Park, 499 George Street North, Peterborough / End at Millennium Park, 131 King Street, Peterborough
Time: 10AM to 12PM
Details: Walking tour of historically significant sites in downtown Peterborough, presented by Trent Valley Archivist Elwood Jones.
2:00 PM • Teatime Tour: Hutchison House, Peterborough Lift Locks and Trent Valley Archives
Location: Pickup at Market Hall, 140 Charlotte Street, Peterborough and Drop off at Holiday Inn, 150 George Street North, Peterborough
Time: 2PM-5PM
Details: Visit Hutchison House, The Peterborough Lift Lock, Tren Valley Archives, etc. More details to follow.
Registration Required.
Saturday
August 9
TBA • Bicentennial Farewell Activities
Details of Bicentennial Farewell Activities to come.
8:00 PM • Peterborough Musicfest
Location: Del Crary Park • 100 George St. N. • Peterborough
Time: 8PM
Details: Free outdoor concert beside Little Lake by the City of Peterborough. Irish musical entertainment details TBA.
Sunday
August 10
10:30 AM • Mass of Celebration & Farewell
Location: Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains • 411 Reid St • Peterborough
Time: 10:30AM
Details: Mass of Celebration and Farewell celebrated by Bishop Daniel Miehm at the location of the first church built by Peter Robinson settlers and where many descendants were baptized, married, and buried.
Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough
1:00 PM • St. Peter's Cemetery - Walk and Talk Tour
Location: St. Peter's Cemetery
Time: 1PM to 3PM
Details: Details to come.
Registration Required.
Multi-Day & All Week Events
Otonabee South-Monaghan Historical Society
Open to Visitors
Location: 3252 County Road 2 • Keene
Operating Hours: To be confirmed for 2025.
Details: Visit Otonabee-South Monaghan Historical Society. Peter Robinson Settlers records.
Hutchison House Museum
Open to Visitors
Location: 270 Brock St • Peterborough
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10AM to 4PM (TBC)
Details: An exhibit created by the Museum Management and Curatorship Students at Fleming College. More special events to be announced.
Kawartha Ancestral Research Association (KARA)
Open to Visitors
Location: 730 The Kingsway #3 • Peterborough
Operating Hours: 10AM to 4PM
Details: Family connections, cemetery transcripts, headstone photos, newspaper clippings, family histories, parish registers, photo display, slide shows, land records, property maps, census records, historical books for sale.
Trent Valley Archives
Open to Visitors
Location: 567 Carnegie Ave • Peterborough
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10AM to 4PM
Details: Research and geneology. More special events to be announced.
Nine Ships 1825 • Bicentennial Heritage Fair
Location: Knights of Columbus Hall • 317 Hunter St. W. • Peterborough
Operating Hours:
Saturday August 2 through Friday August 8: 10AM to 4PM
Details: Knights of Columbus Hall, Diocese of Peterborough and Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains.
Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA)
Open to Visitors
Location: 300 Hunter St E • Peterborough
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM
- Saturday and Sunday 12PM to 5PM
Details: Genealogical research facility.
Lang Pioneer Village Museum
Open to Visitors
Location: 104 Lang Rd • Keene
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10AM to 4PM (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Details: 19th century living monument to the faith, endurance, and ingenuity of settlers and First Nations people. Includes thirty historic buildings built between 1825 and 1910. Check out their website for more details and their special events: www.langpioneervillage.ca
Kawartha Settlers Village (Bobcaygeon)
Open to Visitors
Location: 85 Dunn St • Bobcaygeon
Operating Hours: Open normal operating hours 10AM to 4PM and by appointment
Details: Tells story of early settler life in the Kawartha Lakes. Collection of 20+ historic homes and buildings. Discovery Trail and Environmental Park. Collection of artifacts.
Westwood Historical Society Museum.
Location: Westwood. 1818 3rd Concession of Asphodel-Norwood
Operating Hours: TBC.
Details: Presented by Asphodel-Norwood Cultural and Heritage. The Heritage Centre will be open to visitors. Visit Westwood Historical Society Museum.
4th Line Theatre: Wild Irish Geese
Location: The Winslow Farm • 779 Zion Line • Millbrook
Dates: Friday August 1 through Saturday August 9, 2025 (no performances on Sunday or Monday)
Time: 6PM
Details: Presented by 4th Line Theatre.
The story of Irish settlers to the Peterborough region.
Tickets: 1-800-814-0055
Disclaimer: Event dates and times are subject to change as event planning continues and information is updated from time to time by our local Irish Community Partners. For more information please connect with us or the organization organizing the event.