On May 9th, 200 years on from the 1825 sailings of the Peter Robinson Settlers to Upper Canada, Ballyhoura Development in collaboration with Cobh Heritage Centre come together to lay wreaths in memory of the families.

This significant milestone marks two centuries since the departure of 11 ships in 1823 & 1825, that carried Irish families from across the Ballyhoura Region and beyond, to Canada in those years.

The commemoration event on May 9th will be a special ceremony, one of remembrance reflection and reconnection honouring the legacy of those who left these shores. The event will be held at The Bandstand, Promenade, Cobh at 2:30pm where descendants of the families of the 1820s will lay a wreath in memorial with officials from Cork and Limerick County Council and the Canadian Embassy supporting on the day, with the community of Cobh and representatives of communities of origin in Ballyhoura and communities of settlement in Canada. 

The ceremony will culminate with a special unveiling of an exhibition in Cobh Heritage Centre, open to all to attend. 

The May 9th ceremony is the first of 2 key events to be held this year, the larger Ireland Canada Homecoming, led by Ballyhoura Development, will run from September 15th – 21st 2025 welcoming descendants of the Peter Robinson Emigration Scheme back to the region to reconnect with the communities of origin.

The ceremony is open to the public to attend and promises to be a very special afternoon to mark the 200th anniversary, the first on Irish soil.

Amanda Slattery Development Manager of Ballyhoura Development states “we are delighted to collaborate with Cobh to honour the 200th anniversary of this emigration, Cobh plays a vital part in the story, the last departure point for hundreds of families, we look forward to welcoming everyone from near and far to commemorate with us.”

Breeda Keane Shortt of the Cobh Heritage Centre states “we are thrilled to collaborate with Ballyhoura Development on this initiative and further demonstrate the emigration story of Ireland and Canada and its significance to Cobh."

Thanks to the support of Cork County Council, Limerick City and County Council, and Meet in Ireland programme the Failte Ireland.

Group photo of Ballyhoura community representatives taken at the first Community Information Session about the Ireland-Canada Homecoming event preparations on January 15th in Kildorrery.

Photo taken at the second Ballyhoura Development Community Update Information Session on April 3rd at the Deebert House Hotel in Kilmallock: L-R: Alan O'Ceilleachair (Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels), Sr. Celestine Farrissey (Charleville Community Care & Garden Services), Cllr. Ian Doyle (representing Newtownshandrum Community Development Association & Charleville Heritage Society), Chris Nikkel (Researcher), Jimmy Woulfe (The Schoolyard Theatre & Arts Centre), Carina Gough (Charleville Business Owner), Billy Kiely (Milford Historical Society)

L-R: John & Shauna O'Brien (Petre Robisnosn Settlers Descendants), Frank McCarthy (Local Historian/Researcher), Bill Power (Saint George's Arts & Heritage Centre), Pat Tangney (Firgrove Hotel) 

Information about the Peter Robinson Settlers programme

Information The Ireland Canada Homecoming 2025