In August of 1997 more than 50 members and friends of the Galway Association of New York participated in a poignant pilgrimage to Gross Ile to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the tragic year 1847 during the Great Famine. The Association, in a new effort to promote cultural and educational awareness, actively promoted this historic trip in conjunction with Action Grosse Ile, Canada, and the AOH and LAOH in the U.S.
Over 5,000 Irish, who came to escape the Famine and perished from various diseases, starvation and other circumstances, are buried in mass graves on this island, established as a quarantine station from 1832, on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada.
Galway was the only county with an official contingent represented at the commemoration, joining with about 2,500 people in an international, ecumenical service to mark the memory of these souls and all the victims of “Black ’47.” Following the service there were informative talk tours at the main Great Hunger sites on the island.
It was a moving experience to stand on that hallowed ground, as former Association President Dennis Casey described, “the scene of so much suffering and tragedy for our people [and] a shrine to the courage and hope of those who came here before us.”
After the visit to Grosse Ile itself the Association participated in other commemorative events in Quebec City, highlighted in the weekend’s ‘Schedule of Events,’ which is featured on this website along with other photos from this trip.
During the return leg of the cultural tour, the group visited several points of interest in Quebec and Montreal, including the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, credited with many miracles of curing the sick and disabled; Canada’s largest church, St. Joseph’s Oratory national shrine; and the ornate Gothic style Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal).
A little information about The Black Rock, pictured below:
The Black Rock: In Montreal, the first major port past Quebec, thousands of Irish emigrants fleeing the Famine faced a similar fate as at Grosse Ile. In an area west of the city at Pointe St. Charles, numerous hospital sheds and shelters were constructed where doctors, priests, nuns and other attendants did what they could to tend to the overwhelming numbers of sick and dying; several of these attendants contracted and succumbed to diseases themselves.
When this site was being cleared for construction of the Victoria Bridge (completed in 1859), construction workers came upon the mass graves of those who had perished in the ‘fever sheds’ and dredged a 10 foot black boulder out of the river, placed it on the site and inscribed it:
“To preserve from desecration the remains of 6000 immigrants who died of ship fever A.D. 1847-8. This stone is erected by the workmen of Messrs. Peto, Brassey & Betts employed in the construction of the Victoria Bridge A.D. 1859.”
In 1983, The Galway Men’s S. & B. Association of New York unanimously decided to establish a memorial worthy of the inspirational example of their late Chaplain, Rev. Eugene A. McLoughlin, in the form of a scholarship to University College, Galway, leading to a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and a Higher Diploma in Education, to which the University has consented.
Father McLoughlin was well known in the United States for his gentleness and his piety, and, also an enthusiast in Gaelic Matters. He displayed a keen interest in the preservation of Irish Nationalism and Culture, especially in his work of reorganizing the Feis, which, popularized the song lore of his race, bringing some of Ireland’s loveliest folk songs to the attention of music lovers everywhere.
The Association, and President Mr. Denis Casey, established this trust fund with all net profits accruing from the Association’s October 31 Ball at the Manhattan Center, New York City.
The plaque still stands today in the University – reminding students and future generations of the achievements of a distinguished Galway Man.
Patrick Kelly was born in Castle Hackett, County Galway, Ireland in 1821. His father died when Patrick was about 9 years old, leaving Patrick and his sister to be raised by their mother. He came to America in 1850, just after the Great Famine and settled in New York. His wife Elizabeth died at her home on Rapelyea Street, Brooklyn in late 1858, leaving no children.
When the American Civil War broke out, Kelly enlisted as a private in the 69th New York State Militia. He quickly rose to the rank of lieutenant of Co. E.
Patrick Kelly was appointed but never commissioned, as captain in the 16th US Infantry. On December 31, 1861, he was commissioned as lieutenant colonel of the 88th New York Volunteer Infantry, a largely Irish speaking regiment. After Antietam, Kelly was promoted to colonel of the 88th. He led his brave men on the assault of Marye’s Heights at the battle of Fredericksburg.
These horrific battles decimated the famed Irish Brigade. Brigade commander, General Thomas Francis Meagher, resigned on May 14th, 1863, in protest of not being allowed to raise new recruits for his depleted brigade. General Meagher turned the command of the brigade to Colonel Kelly.
Kelly led the brigade at Gettysburg with just a fraction of the original number of soldiers. A year later he was again at the head of his command at the Battle of Petersburg. It was there that he was killed on June 16, 1864. He was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery on June 26 1864.
A letter to the editor of the Irish American newspaper described the scene as Kelly’s body was carried from the field; “..strong old veteran soldiers wept like children, and wrung their hands in a frenzy…there never was a more unblemished soul in it than honest Colonel Patrick Kelly…”
The Irish Brigade finished the war, victorious over the rebel forces. The pain and suffering of the likes of Patrick Kelly and thousands of other Irish immigrants gained for the Irish and Catholics, greater acceptance by the American society by day.
For unknown reasons, Kelly and his young wife are buried in an unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery. The Galway Association of New York knew immediately what they had to do when they were approached by the Irish Brigade Association. Together, along with the Irish Brigade, they unveiled a memorial stone in honour of this Galway man, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his adopted country.
If you wish to visit the stone, you can do so by taking the No.7 Subway to the 33rd Street Station. By car, exit the Long Island Expressway at Greenpoint Avenue.
Please Save the Date for the Galway Association of New York Banquet Cruise
Saturday, September 30 at Pier 81 located at 41st Street from 6pm — 10pm.
We will begin boarding at 5pm. Punctuality is important, as the boat leaves at exactly 6pm.
September 1 is the deadline for buying tickets. The cost is $150 per person.
More details will follow as we get closer to the date!
