On Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 11:00 am, Ireland’s Ambassador to Canada, Ray Bassett,and Halifax’s new mayor, Mike Savage, unveiled an interpretive panel acknowledging Halifax’s Irishtown. The panel is located on Lower Water Street, across from the Brewery Market. Troy Doyle, Past President of An Cumann, and Brian Doherty, President of CIS, took part in the ceremony.

 

In the early years of Halifax and also for much of the 1800s, the people living in several blocks along the southern part of Lower Water Street in Halifax were predominately Irish. Locals called the area Irishtown.

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Early in the 20th century, the Irish began to move to other parts of the city. They were replaced by others who came to Halifax from around the Province. Eventually, most of those newer arrivals also moved on, but no one replaced them. Irishtown was nearly forgotten. One person who did not forget was renowned Halifax genealogist and historian Terry Punch. When Terry spoke on the subject at an An Cumann AGM, Board member Tony O’Carroll was inspired to have Irishtown recognized once again.