A Famine Ship Returns to Montréal

 

The Jeanie Johnston, a replica of the remarkable wooden triple-masted tall ship which was originally built in Quebec, has been rebuilt in Ireland, and will be moored at the Jacques Cartier Pier of the Old Port of Montréal from September 18 to 22, 2003. 

The Public is Invited to Visit the Ship

The Jeanie Johnston is retracing the historic transatlantic voyages it made 150 years ago, and giving visitors an interesting living history experience through its museum on the lower deck which depicts the conditions of the ship as they were in 1847-55, when it carried emigrants to North America (16 voyages in all without the loss of a single soul in an era of overcrowded and disease-ridden “coffin ships”).

Visiting Hours: Friday, Sept. 19th, to Sunday, Sept. 21st, 10 am to 5:30 pm.
(Free admission/Donations appreciated)

Schedule of Activities

An exciting programme of Celtic music and dance is planned for the 4 days that the ship is in port. Everything is free!

Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003       Opening Ceremonies

12:00 noon                               with The Montréal Pipes & Drums

A flotilla of power and sailing vessels will greet the ship in the St.Lawrence and accompany it to the Old Port.  Québec Premier Mr. Jean Charest and Montréal Mayor Mr. Gérald Tremblay will honour us with their presence.

 

Friday, Sept. 19, 2003            La Bottine Souriante

8:00 p.m.                                  Free outdoor concert by Québec’s “living legends” – “a homage to tradition with a dash of jazz, salsa and pure folk”.

A fitting tribute as one of the legacies of the Irish emigration was the introduction of fiddling, a key element in Québec traditional music.

Opening for the Bottine Souriante will be the popular Irish fiddler Gerry O’Neill.

 

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003        Salty Dog

1:30 p.m.                                  Free outdoor concert of lively Celtic music.

 

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003        Orealis -- In Concert

8:00 p.m.                                  Free outdoor concert with Montréal’s beloved Celtic group, Orealis will perform a special repertoire including Irish immigration songs.

Irish fiddler Gerry O’Neill will open the evening for Orealis.

 

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003          The Celtic Grace Dancers with Les Pieds Légers

1:30 p.m.                                  Ireland meets Québec in a free performance by two of Montréal’s best dance troupes – an excerpt of the show “From Galway to Grosse Île”.

 

For information on the Jeanie Johnston: www.jeaniejohnston.ie.

For information on the artists: (514) 481-3471, ext. 228 (Montréal International Celtic Festival)