Bishop John Sweeny Cairn

Johnville, NB

 

Bishop John Sweeny was born in Clones, County Monaghan and was one of the longest serving bishops in Saint John – from 1860 to 1901. His family emigrated in 1828 and settled in Saint John. He studied to be a priest in Quebec City and was ordained in 1845 – the first year of the Great Hunger in Ireland. He served as priest in Miramichi and Barrachois before being called back to Saint John in 1852. He served as Bishop of Saint John Diocese from 1860 to 1901.1

Living in Saint John, through the 1850’s Rev Sweeny noted the dire living conditions of many of the Irish in Saint John.  He also was aware that many were interested in being farmers and landowners rather than city-dwellers.  As a consequence he played a leading role in creating the Immigrant Aid Society in an attempt to assist immigrants in Saint John as well as help those who wished to establish themselves on land grants within the young colony.

With that in mind, Sweeny acquired large tracts of unsettled land from the colonial government and settled between 700 and 800 families on four tracts of land within the colony.2  One pf these [lanned settlements was Johnville.  In 1861, 10,000 acres of land was surveyed and divided into 100-acre lots in Carleton County.  Bishop Connolly named the community Johnville in honour of Rev. Sweeny’s hard work in having it come to fruition.  

Johnville Cairn

The Cairn is located near St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Johnville, overlooking the cemetery, whose gravestones carry many of the original settler family names. The cairn is constructed of local stone and carries the following inscription:

 
Dedicated
To the Memory
Of the Right Reverend
John Sweeny
Bishop of Saint John
Who Founded the
Settlement of Johnville
In 1861,
And to Those Good Men
And Women in Johnville
Who Now Lie Here
He Does Not Die That Can
Bequeath Some Influence
To the Land He Knows
 
 
Bishop Sweeny was a remarkable man who cared deeply for the Irish families within his charge. It is certainly fitting that a monument is dedicated to his hard work and commitment.
 
The Bishop Sweeny Cairn is located on the Johnville Road, northeast of Bath, NB.

[1]  Rev Dr Michael McGowan, Pax Vobis: A History of the Diocese of Saint John, Strasbourg, France, Editions du Signe, 2004, p. 22-23.
[2]  Leo J Hynes, The Catholic Irish of New Brunswick, 1783-1900, Fredericton, Privately Published, 188992, p. 206.
Irish Memorials

ST. ANDREWS CELTIC CROSS

 

ICCA monument St Andrews 2

Standing tall, overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay, is a tribute to the many unfortunate souls buried on Hospital Island. This quarantine station housed hundreds of sick and destitute Irish immigrants between its inception in 1832 and its abandonment approximately 30 years later. The ten-foot Celtic Cross points to this tiny island from Indian Point in the town of St. Andrews.

The cross features a ship representing the disease-ridden, overcrowded vessels that brought ten thousand Irish immigrants through this port of entry to New Brunswick and beyond. It features a fiddle reflecting the Irish musical spirit that survived adversity, and a shamrock, the symbol of faith, love of homeland and hope for a better life in the new world.

The inscription on the cross reads: “In memory of those men, women and children who died of hunger and disease while fleeing the potato famine in Ireland, and lie buried on Hospital Island. Lovingly remembered by their descendants who persevered and helped build this great nation.”

The cross was erected through the efforts of the Charlotte County Chapter of the Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick under the leadership of long-time president, Joan Mahoney Jones. Built by Smet Monuments of St. Stephen, the official unveiling took place May 28th, 1995.

This was a significant date in the history of Hospital Island, the anniversary of the arrival of the infamous ship, Star, carrying 383 destitute men, women and children from the Wicklow estates of Earl Fitzwilliam. This 1847 “clearance” added scores to the existing burials on the island, many of them children.

 

Katherine Baldwin descendant of Hospital Island Survivor

Among those attending the ecumenical dedication ceremony was Katherine Baldwin of St. George, a direct descendant of a Hospital Island survivor. Mrs. Baldwin’s grandmother, Bridget Wellesley Weir, was born in Ireland in 1846, and as an infant came to St. Andrews. Her parents and siblings contracted the fever, and all died either at sea or on Hospital Island. The Catholic priest in St. Andrews took responsibility for the upbringing of this orphaned child. Bridget married Joseph Murray, and one of their sons, Lawrence, born in 1872, was Mrs. Baldwin’s father. Katherine Baldwin’s presence made the unveiling ceremony particularly poignant for the large crowd gathered around the green, white and orange draped monument.

Unveiling St Andrews Monument

Along with Joan Mahoney Jones, others taking part in the ceremony were Sheila Caughey Washburn, Ann McKinley Breault and Faye McMullon. In attendance were Mayor Nancy Aiken of St. Andrews, Mayor Allan Gillmor of St. Stephen, the Rev. Robert Murray of Greenock Presbyterian Church, Rev. John Matheson of All Saints Anglican Church, and Father Peter Bagley, St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

Irish Memorials

Middle Island Celtic Cross

By Anna Springer

 

Prior to 1984, Middle Island in the Miramichi River had no monument to commemorate the tragedy that occurred there in 1847. That year, hundreds of Irish immigrants aboard famine ships landed at our port suffering with ship fever. Many died and are buried there in unmarked graves.

 

Middle Island 3

Celtic Cross through the trees on Middle Island – Photo courtesy of the Provincial Archives of NB (PANB)

 

This tragedy and the importance of the Island’s history were brought to light when the Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick was formed. Mr. Farrell McCarthy was the first president of the Association assisted by Blair Clancy and an eager group of dedicated volunteers, plans were set in motion to have a Celtic Cross erected on Middle Island as part of the celebrations of the Miramichi’s First Irish Festival.

On 15 July 1984, the unveiling ceremony of the Celtic Cross on Middle Island was one of the highlights of the Festival weekend. Prior to the unveiling and dedication of the cross, a memorial Eucharistic celebration was held at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Chatham, after which the capacity crowd of approximately fifteen hundred people proceeded to Middle Island via cars and buses. Visiting dignitaries, clergy, special guests and committee members were piped to their places by the visiting New York County Tyrone Pipe Band.

 

Cross Middle Island

Captain Michael Coleman and crew of the replica famine ship Jeanie Johnston visit the memorial on Middle Island in 2003. – Photo courtesy of the Provincial Archives of NB (PANB)

 

The Honourable Sean Gaynor, Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada, addressed the crowd and presided over the official unveiling. Most Reverend J. Edward Troy, Coadjutor Bishop of Saint John, blessed the Cross. Clergy members from Chatham, Nelson, Newcastle, Loggieville, Church of England and the Salvation Army also participated in the ceremony.

The Cross made of Vermont granite stands fifteen feet high, and is set into a cement base. Today, a large shamrock shaped hedge surrounds the Cross, which compliments its setting. A Gaelic-English inscription at the base reads:

“bron, bron, mo bron”
(sorrow, sorrow, my sorrow).

Also at the base of the Cross, on the opposite side, a large bronze plaque is inscribed with the words:

“This Celtic Cross erected in memory of the Irish Immigrants who died of Typhus Fever contracted during their voyage from Ireland on the ship Looshtauk in 1847 and are buried here. This Cross also commemorates the devotion of Dr. Vondy who while ministering to the victims, himself, contracted the disease and died at the age of 28 years.”

Dr Vondy

Dr. John Vondy

Irish Memorials

IRISH FAMILIES MEMORIAL

MONCTON, NB

 

irish families monument moncton nb 969x650

The Irish Families Memorial is located in Riverfront Park on Blvd l’Assomption in downtown Moncton. It sits proudly just at the entrance to Riverfront Park, directly behind the Blue Cross Centre, and just a short walk from Moncton City Hall on Main Street.
 

Designed by Linda Evans of Irishtown, NB and John Matthews of Amherst, NS, the monument includes a 12-foot Celtic cross surrounded by four standing stones as well as four tablets and two benches for visitors.

The site of the monument is circular in keeping with Celtic mysticism and spirituality.
 

In the centre of the site is a 12-foot Celtic cross adorned with elaborate Celtic knot work which was carefully carved by Taze Down of Tingleys Monuments.

On the base of the front of the Celtic cross is the following:

“This monument is dedicated to the Irish families of south-eastern New Brunswick whose contribution to the growth and development of Moncton and her surrounding communities has been great.” 

On the base of the back of the Celtic cross is carved the following inscription:

“Fleeing hunger and oppression,
They crossed the sea
With broken hearts and tears of longing,
– And here found safe haven.
To those early settlers and their descendants,
We pay homage.”

Surrounding the Celtic cross are four standing stones, which represent the four provinces of Ireland – Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht. They are appropriate because the early Irish immigrant settlers to south-eastern New Brunswick came from the four corners of Ireland and settled in several small Irish communities throughout Albert, Kent and Westmorland counties. 

On these standing stones are carved 300 names of individuals and families of Irish descent who lived in the Irish communities of south-eastern New Brunswick and left their legacy of survival, tenacity and independence.

In Phase II of the Irish Families Memorial in 2003, four tablets were added with a further 100 names of our Irish ancestors. Also put in place at that time were two benches. The benches look like stylized pagan dolmans and are used by visitors while they read the names inscribed on the monument.
 

Dedicated on July 29, in the Millennium year, 2000, the Irish Families Memorial was erected by the Westmorland Albert Kent (Moncton) Chapter of the Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick. Hundreds were in attendance at the dedication ceremony. The monument was unveiled in a grand ceremony, which included pipers and musicians. Linda Evans, Chapter President, addressed the crowd as well as Moncton Mayor Brian F P Murphy and Claudette Bradshaw, MP Moncton/Riverview/Dieppe among others.

The monument is made of light grey granite and was constructed in Amherst, Nova Scotia by Tingleys Monuments. The landscaping includes a circular pattern of paving stones that draw you into the site. The landscaping was carried out by Signature Landscaping of Moncton, NB.

Most of the financing was procured through subscription. Families and individuals contributed to have names carved onto the four standing stones and the four tablets surrounding the Celtic Cross. Indeed, subscriptions for the project came from as far away as Western Canada, New England, California and even New Zealand. The project became a community event and families challenged each other to not only find their ancestors names, but also to make sure that no one was left out. 
 

Indeed, in one case, a transient, known simply as John the Irishman (aka John Tierney) was added to the monument from simple coin donations and his name now adorns the top of one of the standing stones.

Funding was also acquired from the Federal government through the Canada Millennium Partnership Program, the Province of New Brunswick’s NB2000 fund and the City of Moncton.
Irish Memorials

FIRST SETTLER FAMILIES MONUMENT
IRISHTOWN NB

 

When the Irish Families Memorial in Moncton was dedicated in 2000, the Westmorland Albert Kent (Moncton) Chapter of the Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick then planned satellite monuments around south-eastern New Brunswick in areas and communities where the Irish had founded settlements in the first half of the 19th century. 

The first of these was dedicated in Irishtown, a community 10 km north of Moncton on September 14th, 2003. After mass, the congregation of St Lawrence O’Toole Roman Catholic Church gathered around the new First Settler Families monument outside the church for the dedication and blessing. The monument commemorates the pioneer families of Irishtown and the nearby settlements of McQuades and O’Neills. 

 

Settler stone front 2

 

The monument was designed by Linda Evans of Irishtown and carved by Tingleys Monuments of Amherst, Nova Scotia. Partial funding was acquired from the Regional Development Corporation of New Brunswick. The Westmorland Albert Kent (Moncton) Chapter provided the remainder. The parish of St Lawrence O’Tooles donated the land and also prepared the site.

The monument is an 8-foot standing stone of light grey granite. On the front of the monument is the following inscription: “First Settler Families – Irishtown – McQuades – O’Neills Settlements” followed by the caption “forever in our hearts”. 

 

settler stone back 2

 

To view the monument, take exit 459 (Notre Dame/St Antoine) from the Trans Canada Highway north of Moncton. Follow Route 115 north, away from the city for 9 km and you will come to Irishtown. A kilometre further, you will see St Lawrence O’Toole Roman Catholic Church on the left hand side of the road. The monument is located beside the church.

 

Then follows the names of the pioneer Irish families to the area, as well as their date of arrival in NB. Recorded in alphabetical order on the front and rear of the monument, the settler families include the following: Alexander 1823, Anketell 1831, Barr 1846, Bulmer, Corbett 1833, Delahunt 1816, Delahunt 1821, Delahunt 1839, Doherty 1847, Doherty 1850, Donahoe 1832, Donahue 1832, Donovan 1831, Doyle 1848, Eddington 1832, Fitzgerald 1830, Fitzsimmons 1816, Fitzsimmons 1846, Fogarty 1823, Foley 1832, Gaines, Gallagher 1820, Griffin 1832, Hannigan 1831, Hennessy 1819, Hogan 1837, Keenan 1836, Kelly 1846, Lannigan 1848, Larracey 1816, Lowry 1836, Marley 1826, Mauser 1840, Matthews, McDonald 1832, McGuire, McQuade 1832, Mulroney 1832, Murray 1821, O’Delaney 1849, O’Donnell 1836, O’Donnell 1846, O’Neill 1831, O’Neill 1832, O’Neill 1837, O’Rourke 1812, Power (Poor), Quinn, Reddy, Sullivan 1831, Turner, Walsh 1837 and Wood.

Irish Memorials

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