Tánaiste accepts Quebec gift for Irish Famine Ship

Taking a break from the election campaign, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dick Spring, will today accept a specially commissioned ship's wheel for the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship. The presentation at Iveagh House (3pm) will be made by Mr Richard Guay, Agent General of the Quebec Government to Ireland and Great Britain.

The Quebec Provincial Government is co-operating in the building of a replica of the famous Irish 19th century emigrant vessel the Jeanie Johnston (1847-58) which transported Kerry immigrants to North America during the Great Famine.

During the mid 19th century, Quebec served as the gateway to North America for hundreds of thousands of Irish fleeing the Famine. In the era of the infamous "coffin ships," the Jeanie Johnston was one of the better-run vessels. She was built in Quebec in 1847 (Black ‘47) for the Donovan family of Tralee and, almost uniquely among the famine ships, never lost a passenger to disease or the sea during 16 trans-Atlantic voyages from Tralee to Quebec, Baltimore and New York.

The ship's wheel for the replica vessel was made at the Mil Davie Shipyard in Quebec. It bears the inscription "Presented by the Quebec Government to the People of Ireland" written in French, Irish and English.Top