iddle 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.

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.

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. John Vondy