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Mission
| Projects
| History of CIF
| President of Ireland
| Chair’s Statement
| Land Acknowledgement

Our Mission

To deepen and broaden Canadians’ connection to the culture of Ireland through events, public spaces, and collaborations.

Ireland Park

A commemoration of Irish Famine migrants on Toronto's waterfront.

Explore Ireland Park

Grasett Park

Honouring caregivers who perished while assisting newly arriving Famine migrants.

Explore Grasett Park

The Corleck

Opening 2026. A new venue for arts, culture and heritage in Toronto.

Explore The Corleck

History of the Foundation

Canada Ireland Foundation is dedicated to celebrating the story of the Irish in Canada. Originally known as the Ireland Park Foundation, the organization was founded by Robert G. Kearns in 1997 with the purpose of creating a public space to commemorate Irish Famine migrants who arrived in Toronto in 1847.

With the support of the City of Toronto and many other generous public and private contributors, Ireland Park was officially opened in July 2007, in the presence of Mary McAleese, President of Ireland.

In the course of our research into the arrival of Famine migrants in Toronto in the summer of 1847, Professor Mark McGowan and his colleagues uncovered the story of Dr. George Robert Grasett, a young doctor who volunteered to head the City’s medical response to the outbreak of ship fever (typhus) among the newly arrived Famine migrants, and who tragically perished from the disease himself less than a month later.

As we learned about Dr. Grasett and others like him, we felt it necessary to honour their sacrifice and to restore the story of their remarkable bravery and compassion to public memory. And so, again in partnership with the City of Toronto and with the support of many generous public and private contributors, we embarked upon a decade-long process of creating Grasett Park, which was officially opened in July 2021 in downtown Toronto, on the site of the old hospital grounds where fever sheds once stood. Grasett Park was completed and officially dedicated just as Toronto began to emerge from the COVID pandemic. The dedication and sacrifices of healthcare workers during our modern public health crisis echoed the legacy of those who rushed forward to address the typhus epidemic of 1847.

Since the organizations inception, its mission has grown and evolved. Now known as Canada Ireland Foundation, in addition to developing and maintaining important public spaces, we continue to conduct and present original historical research, while presenting an ever-expanding range of contemporary artistic and cultural events and programmes throughout the year.

Canada Ireland Foundation would not be able to fulfill our mission without our incredible network of volunteers, donors and supporters. We invite you to get in touch with members of our team to explore ways in which you can get involved.

President of Ireland

Message from President Michael D. Higgins

I am very proud to be patron of Canada Ireland Foundation in Toronto. The relationship between Canada and Ireland is a long and enduring one. For many years Canada has reached out a hand of friendship and support to those who have been compelled to leave Irish shores in search of a better life.

The Irish Famine of 1845–50 was a particularly tragic chapter in Ireland’s narrative; a time of great suffering and immense mortality. It was a period when over three hundred thousand destitute and starving Irish people arrived on Canadian soil. Ireland Park is a perennial reminder of the great humanitarian spirit which so defines the people of Canada and from which we in Ireland have benefitted for so many years.

Today the Irish community in Toronto is a thriving and dynamic one. It is a living testimony to the generous welcome so many of our forefathers have received in Canada across the decades. The vibrancy of the Irish presence in Toronto also reflects the spirit of community which remains at the heart of Irish society, and which is shared by our wider family around the world.

I wish to express my gratitude to Robert Kearns, Chairman of the Board of Canada Ireland Foundation, his fellow directors and the many people who so generously donate their time, skill or support to this valuable initiative, ensuring the continued success of Ireland Park and the success of the exciting plans for its future development.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.

MICHAEL D. HIGGINS

Uachtarán na hÉireann

President of Ireland

Chair’s Statement

It has been more than 25 years since I embarked on the mission to create Ireland Park on Toronto’s waterfront, recruiting allies to help turn this vision into a reality.

I am enormously grateful to the many esteemed supporters, Board members and public and private partners whose efforts and contributions enabled the Foundation to officially open Ireland Park in 2007, and who have continued their tireless and generous support as we created Grasett Park (opened 2021) and as we are now in the midst of developing The Corleck.

Throughout this journey, thanks to the work of distinguished historical research partners, we have deepened and expanded our understanding of the story of the Irish in Canada. The enthusiasm and commitment of the community has also enabled the Foundation to gradually expand the range of contemporary artistic and cultural programming we are able to present, enabling unique opportunities for collaboration and engagement between the peoples of Ireland and Canada.

It is my sincere hope that as Canada Ireland Foundation’s work continues in this next phase, others feel inspired and welcomed to embrace and discover the rich and enduring bonds between our two nations.

Robert G. Kearns

Chair & Founder

Canada Ireland Foundation

Land Acknowledgement

Canada Ireland Foundation acknowledges that the land we gather and operate on is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and that it is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.