There were some Irish in Montréal as early as the seventeenth century, unfortunately they were absorbed into the local French population. However, as was the case in Québec City, the Irish did not begin to settle in any large numbers until after 1815. Prior to the establishment of St-Patrick in 1847 and St-Ann in 1854, the churches of the Irish in Montréal were Notre Dame de Bon Secours, the Church of the Récollet Fathers and Notre Dame Basilica – The early Irish settlers of Montréal resided in Old Montréal plus the surrounding districts such as East, Centre, West Wards. At a later time period, the Irish would move westward, eastward and northward into Saint Ann’s, Saint Mary’s, Saint Antoine’s, Saint James, Saint Lawrence’s, Saint Louis Wards. The Irish were the primary résidents in districts such as Griffintown, Point-St-Charles, St. Henry, Verdun, Ville Émard districts. About the same time, others would move eastward into the Rosemount, Hochelaga districts. Finally in the early 1900’s, the Irish would join the British, Scottish Catholics into regions which previously were the domains of the Protestants and the French. Furthermore, the Irish Catholics were not afraid to take residence where work was available or in many cases, many of the early Irish settlers became farmers and would settle in regions across Québec which were previously inhabited by the French, the Scots and the British, and many of these rural Irish families would eventually inter-marry with the latter groups and thus create a new Québec, a legacy which will forever be part of the folklore of this Province. Please note the years in bracket reflect the year I was able to ascertain as being the beginning of the Irish / Scottish / British presence in various Catholic Churches across the Province, a conclusion reached by referring, over a number of years to the more than 3,000 books at the Archives nationales du Québec dealing with marriages.

Old Montreal - Vieux Montréal - Notre Dame Basilica (1815) – First erected in 1642. From about 1815, the Irish would join the congregation, and for a 25 year period prior to the opening of Saint Patrick in 1846 and Saint Ann’s in 1848, the Irish parishioners at Notre Dame outnumbered the French at this House of Worship – From about 1825 and through the next 27 years, Father Patrick Phelan would minister to the Irish community.

Old Montreal - Vieux Montréal - Notre Dame de Bon Secours (1817) – Rev. P. O’Connell, presiding in 1846 – First erected in 1658, the church was also known as Bonsecours Church, it would welcome it’s first Irish emigrants in 1817 – The church is located on St. Paul street, opposite Bonsecours street

Old Montreal - Vieux Montréal - Church of the Récollets (1824) – First erected in 1692, this church would welcome it’s first Irish emigrants in 1824 – From 1830 to 1847, the church was predominantly the Church of the Irish, In 1846, Saint Patrick would open its doors. In 1854, the Récollets Church lost other parishioners when Saint Ann was established in Griffintown. The church was located on the corner of St. Helen (Hèlene) street near Notre Dame in Old Montréal, it was demolished in 1867, although the interior décor including the church altar were preserved and moved to the church of Notre-Dame des Anges on Lagauchetière street. The latter building would later become the church of the Chinese community, it still exist to this day

Québec Suburb / East Ward – Saint James (Saint Jacques) (1842)– Located in the Québec Suburb district at the corner of St. Denis street at Ste. Catherine.

Downtown / Saint Antoine Ward - Saint Patrick Basilica (1846) – So much has been written about this Irish House of God, another narrative would be superfluous to say the least.

Point St. Charles Fever Sheds (1847) In 1847, the Emigrant Fever among the Irish immigrants had spread to Québec City and Montréal – In Montréal alone thousands of immigrants mostly Irish were affected by the dreaded typhus fever, thus affecting the general population – Up to 22 Fever Sheds were established in the Point St. Charles district in order to segregate the Irish immigrants from the rest of the citizens. One source places the deaths at 6000 – see also 1859 under Victoria Bridge / see also Grosse Isle, the latter following the Québec City church listing.

Griffintown - Saint Ann’s (1848) – Rev. J. O’Farrell, Rev. M. O’Brien, Rev. James Hogan, presiding - Established about 1848 as a Mission – The church opened in 1854 – This church was the soul and inspiration of the Irish Community – Although, it has been closed and demolished for years, Saint Ann is still referred to in numerous writings about the Irish of South Central Montréal – In 1884, a portion of the congregation of the Parish of Saint Ann were asked to join the ranks of Saint Gabriel. It appears that a fair number of Irish families agreed to the move.

Saint Lawrence Ward – Church of the Gésu / Saint Mary (1852) – Located at 144 Bleury street at Dorchester, the elaborate church was part of Collège Ste-Marie (St. Mary’s College), and for many years the college would welcome members of the Irish community who resided uptown. Up to 5 daily masses were conducted in English at the church - Baptisms, marriages, burials were not conducted at this prestigious church, they were conducted at Notre Dame

Québec Suburb / Saint James Ward – Saint Peter’s Church (1854) – Rev. C. Leonard, Rev. T. Fitzhenry, presiding in 1854- Located at the corner of Visitation and Dorchester streets in a district known then as Québec Suburb, a region near today’s Jacques Cartier Bridge, the church was originally established about 1826 by the Oblats Fathers as the Parish of Saint-Pierre. The first parishioners were mostly French, but about the 1850’s, the Irish outnumbered the original parishioners. Visitation street, was located from St. Mary street northward to the then City Boundary

N.D.G.- Notre Dame de Grâce (1856) – The region of N.D.G. became in the late 1850’s a primary destination of citizens with a higher level of education and income, among them a large number of Irish, Scottish, British Catholics

Victoria Bridge (1859) – The Irish Burying-Ground - In 1859, when the approaches to the newly erected Victoria Bridge were being dug, hundreds of skeletons were turned-up by workers, most of whom were Irish. Upon learning that they originated from the fever sheds in Point St. Charles and were actually the bones of their countrymen, the Irish workers would assemble the remains into one location and would place a large round boulder as a monument to which a plaque was riveted which says in part: "To preserve from desecration the remains of 6000 immigrants who died of ship fever, A.D. 1847, this stone is erected by the workers employed in the construction of the Victoria Bridge, A.D. 1859" - see also 1847 under Point St. Charles Fever Sheds - see also Grosse Isle, following the Québec City church listing

Downtown / Saint Antoine Ward - Mary Queen of the World Cathedral (1862) – Prior to 1956, known as Saint Jacques Cathedral – The Cathedral on Dorchester Boulevard (now René-Lévesque) had an appreciable number of Irish, Scottish, British parishioners.

Québec Suburb / Saint James Ward - Saint Bridget (1867) – Rev. M.J. Lonergan, presiding – About 1857, 400 Irish families who resided in a district known at the time, as Québec Suburb, the latter located in south central Montréal in an area closed to the Jacques Cartier Bridge, wanted their own church. Ten years later, in 1867 the Irish families of this district would finally get their wish, Saint Bridget Parish was established in a school for boys located on Dorchester street between Champlain and Maisonneuve, at which location the congregation worshipped until 1880 - Saint Bridget was erected on Maisonneuve street. The church records at the Archives can be found under Sainte Brigitte.

St. Henry / St. Henri Ward – Saint Joseph (1868) The St. Henry Ward was a hub of manufacturing which attracted hundreds of immigrants with their families, among them the Irish. Also known as St. Henri des Tanneries Catholic Church

South East / Saint Mary Ward – Most Holy Trinity Chapel – Sisters of Charity (1868) - An orphanage on St. Catherine street east, it appears that an appreciable number of Irish orphans resided in this establishment.

Point St. Charles - Saint Gabriel (1873) – Rev. William O’Meara, presiding - Saint Gabriel, the third oldest Irish Parish in Montréal - Point St. Charles, referred to by the Irish community as "The Point", a southwest region of Montreal dedicated to low and mid-income immigrants, many were employees of large factories which were stretched-out across the whole region.

Côte St. Paul - Saint Paul (1874)– The Verdun / Côte St. Paul district has been another bastion of the Irish community since the 1870’s. Located next to "The Point", the region catered to the mid-income dwellers, among them the immigrants from various European nations including the Irish, Scots and the British.

Québec Suburb / Saint Mary Ward - Our Lady of Good Counsel / Saint Mary (1875) – Rev. M. Campion, Rev. P.F. O’Donnell, presiding - Located in south central Montréal, this Irish church was somehow associated with Saint Bridget, another Irish parish of the same district of Faubourg Québec. Our Lady of Good Counsel was located at the corner of Craig and Panet streets. The church records at the Archives can be found under Notre Dame du Bon Conseil.

Griffintown - Saint Mary’s (1879) – Also known then as the Irish Congregation – The church was located on the corner of Panet and Craig streets – It no longer exist – Saint Mary was also a parish which competed for the heart of the Irish community of Lower Southwest Montréal with Saint Ann, Saint Gabriel and Saint Bridget.

Point St. Charles - Saint Charles (1883) – Another favorite parish of the Irish in "The Point" – Although the Parish of Saint Charles had been consecrated in 1883 as a parish for French Canadians, a number of Irish families also attended services in this house of worship.

St. Antoine Street / Saint Antoine Ward - Saint Anthony’s (1884) – Was located on Saint Antoine Street next to the railway yards. This parish was also an Irish Church for the families involved with the various Railroad Companies.

South West / Saint Antoine Ward – Sisters of Mercy Chapel (1890’s) - Dorchester street west - Church related documents dealing with baptisms or adoption papers are unknown to this writer.

Lachine - Saints Anges Gardiens (1890’s) – First established in 1676, the congregation would become the first Irish-Scottish-British parish on the West Island.

Pointe Claire - Saint Joachim (1890’s) – First established in 1713, this parish became another early in which the Irish, Scottish and British were welcomed on the West Island

Dorval – Presentation of the Virgin Mary (1895) - A fully bilingual district on the West Island

Verdun – Notre Dame (1899) - A parish mostly with French families, within an Irish district. A few Irish families were church members.

Hudson - Saint Thomas Aquinas (1899) An Irish-Scottish-British parish among a predominantly English language district.

Westmount - Saint Léon (1901) A French-Irish-Scottish-British parish in a predominantly English language region.

Côte des Neiges – Notre Dame des Neiges (1901) Another Irish-French-Scottish-British parish within a mix French-English district.

Griffintown - Saint Helen (1902) – Located on St. Maurice street south of Notre Dame, close to Mc Gill street, the church was demolished in 1971 - An Irish church

St. Urbain Street / Saint Lawrence Ward - Saint Michael the Archangel (1902) – Located Uptown, this parish was the destination of immigrants from various nations, including the Irish and members of Eastern European nations.

Monk Avenue / Ville Émard - Saint Mary of the Good Council (1906) – Monk Avenue in Ville Émard, a region located west of "The Point" was also a region favored by the immigrants including the Irish.

Montreal East - Saint Aloysius (1908) – Destroyed by fire some years ago – The parish now worship at Saint George’s Anglican on Baldwin street - The parish included Irish-Scottish-British families.

Côte des Neiges - Saint Pascal Baylon (1910) The Côte-des-Neiges district became about the same time period a destination of families from European nations including the Irish, Scottish and British.

Lachine - Holy Sacrement (Très Saint-Sacrement) (1910) Another partial Irish region, this one on the West Island.

Cartierville / Norwood – Notre Dame des Neiges (1910) The Irish were present in Cartierville from the early 1900's onwards.

Mile End District - Saint Dominic’s Rectory (1912) - Irish families resided in the district.

Verdun - Saint Willibrod (1913) An Irish town, an Irish parish, one of the leading Irish Catholic Church in southwest Montréal.

Westmount - Saint Augustine of Canterbury (1917) A British, Scottish, Irish parish in an English language region.

Montreal West - Saint Ignatius of Loyola / Loyola Chapel Community (1917) - Another British, Scottish, Irish parish in an English language region.

Verdun - Notre Dame of Peace (de la Paix) (1917) - An Irish town, an Irish parish shared with the Scots, British and French.

Vaudreuil - Trinity (Sainte Trinité) (1924) - A few Irish family resided in the region, the latter located off the West Island.

Ville Émard - Holy Cross (1925) An Irish district, and a mix Irish-Scottish-British-French parish

Ahuntsic - Holy Family (1926) - Irish-Scottish-British families resided in the district. and most likely still do.

Westmount - Ascension of Our Lord (1926) Another British, Scottish, Irish parish in a predominantly English language region.

La Salle - Notre Dame of the Sacred Heart (1927) - Many Irish families resided in La Salle

Rosemount / Rosemont - Saint Brendan (1928) - An Irish district and an Irish parish.

Verdun – Notre Dame of Lourdes (1928) - A parish with a limited Irish presence.

Outremont - Saint Raphael the Archangel (1930) An upscale French region with a British, Scottish, Irish mix.

Côte St. Luc - Saint Antonin of Snowdon (1930) Many Irish families resided in the NDG, Côte-St-Luc, Somerled, Snowdon, Montreal West, Hampstead region.

Côte des Neiges - Saint Kevin’s Rectory (1938) An Irish parish in an Irish district

Hampstead - Saint Malachy (1938) A British, Scottish, Irish church within an English language district.

N.D.G. – Saint Raymond of Pennafort (1938) An Irish district and a partial British, Scottish, Irish, French parish

Verdun – Notre Dame / Auxiliatrice (1939) An Irish town and a French parish with a few Irish families.

Verdun - Saint Thomas More (1944) An Irish town and a British, Scottish, Irish parish.

Verdun - Notre Dame de la Garde (1944) An Irish town and a French parish with a few Irish families.

Town of Mount Royal - Annunciation of Our Lady (1945) An English language district with an appreciable number of Irish - British families.

Côte St. Paul - Immaculate Heart of Mary (Coeur Immaculé de Marie) (1945) - An Irish region with a mix French - Irish parish.

Laval West - Saint Théophile (1946) - A French parish with a sprinkle of Irish and British families.

Lachine - Resurection of Our Lord (1947) A British-Scottish-Irish region within a French town

N.D.G. - Saint Monica (1949) - An English language region with a British-Scottish-Irish parish

Somerled / N.D.G.- Saint Catherine of Sienna (1950) - Another English language district

St-Laurent (ville) - Our Lady of Fatima (1951) A fully bilingual region with an Irish-Scottish-British parish

Ahuntsic - Saint Rita (1952) - A French region with pockets of English language districts, especially in the 1920's to the 1960's

Park Avenue - Notre Dame of Salette (1953) An English language district sprinkled with French, Greek, East European, Middle-Eastern families.

Pointe Claire - Saint John Fisher (1953) An English language region, a leading Irish - Scottish Parish on the West Island

Cartierville - Bordeaux – Sainte Odile (1953) - A French - English region with a mix of French - Irish parishes

Beaconsfield - Saint Edmund of Canterbury Parish (1956) An English language region with an Irish-Scottish-British parish - Saint Edmund of Canterbury is a bastion of the Anglo Catholic population of the West Island - Pastored by Rev. Thomas McEntee from 1974-2000 - Father McEntee died at the age of 84 on May 30th 2008 - Father McEntee was also a member at Quebec Family History Society in nearby Pointe Claire and naturally, the emphasis of his searches centered on Ireland.

La Salle - Saint John Brébeuf (1957) - A mix English-French region with a mix French-Irish-Scottish-British parish

Senneville - Corpus Christi (1958) An English language district with an equally English language parish.

Dorval - Saint Veronica (1958) - A predominantly English language district with a bilingual parish

Outremont - Saint Francis of Assisi (1959) An upscale multi-nation district including Irish, Scottish, British, Jewish families

Pierrefonds - Saint Suzan (1959) A West Island district, prodominantly of the English language.

Côte St.Luc - Saint Richard (1959) A region in which the English language is dominant among many European cultures including the Jewish nation.

Bordeaux - Transfiguration of Our Lord (1960) A French district with a sprinkle of English language families.

Montreal North / Montréal Nord - All Saints Mission (1963) An Italian, French district with a a few pockets of English language residents.

Pierrefonds - Saint David (1963) A bilingual city and region within the West Island

Pincourt - Saint Patrick of the Island (1963) A bilingual region within the West Island

D.D.O. / Dollard-des-Ormeaux – Saint Luke (1964) Another bilingual city and region within the West Island

Roxboro / Pierrefonds – Mary Queen of Peace (Marie Reine de Paix) (1965) - Another bilingual district within the West Island

Laval / Chomedey - Holy Name of Jesus (1965) - The Anglo region of the City of Laval

Montreal East / Montréal Est - Saint Philip Neri Mission / Montreal East Community Church (1965) - An Italian-French district with a fair number of Anglo Protestant and Anglo Catholic families

Pierrefonds - Saint Thomas A. Becket (1965) A leading Irish - British - Scottish parish in a fully bilingual district of the West Island

Pointe Claire - Saint Edward the Confessor (1969) Another leading Anglo Catholic church in a bilingual city of the West Island

Downtown / Peel Street – Newman Christian Community / McGill University

Anjou / Ahuntsic / Baie d'Urfé / Beaconsfield / Bordeaux / Cartierville / Côte-des-Neiges / Côte St-Luc / Côte St-Paul / D.D.O. (Dollard-des-Ormeaux) / Dorval / Golden Square Mile / Goose Village / Griffintown / Hampstead / Hochelaga / Kirkland / Lachine / La Salle / Little Burgandy / McGill Ghetto / Mercier / Mile End / Monkland Village / Montreal West / N.D.G. (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) / Old Montréal / Outremont / Park Extension / Pierrefonds / Pointe Claire / Point St. Charles / Quebec Suburb / Rosemount (Rosemont) / Roxboro / Senneville / Shaughnessy Village / Snowdon / St. Lawrence Boulevard / St. Henry (St-Henri) / St-Laurent (city) / Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue / Tétreaultville / T.M.R. (Town of Mount Royal) / Verdun / Victoriatown (Victoria Bridge) / Ville Émard / Villeray / Westmount / Windmill Point (Victoria Bridge)

During the first half of the 19^{th century, hundreds upon thousands of emigrants from the British Isles arrived in the port city of Québec. All were fleeing European poverty, famine, and overpopulation. Even though the majority would continue westward, quite a fair number chose to remain in the city. Confronted with a sudden growth in population, authorities would encourage the opening of new townships around Québec City. The majority of these emigrants were Irish Catholics, and many would settle in Portneuf / Lotbinière / Dorchester / Lévis Counties, all areas located north and south of the city. In 1819, the Irish population of Québec City numbered nearly one thousand, by 1830 some estimates places the Irish population at between six to seven thousand or nearly one quarter of the total population. By 1861, 40 percent of Québec City’s 10,000 inhabitants were English-speaking, largely because of Irish families who made up 30 percent of the total population. As early as 1817, Irish Catholic Priests were shepherding the Irish population at Notre Dame Cathedral and most likely at the Diamond Harbour Parish, plus at the Church of the Nativity in nearby Beauport. The first annual Saint Patrick Mass was most likely celebrated in 1819 in the Congregationalist Chapel in Québec City.}

The earliest church record I was able to trace in regard to the Irish of the Québec City region was in 1736 in the parish of Saint Augustin in nearby Saint Augustin de Desmaures in Portneuf County – Notre Dame in Québec City claims to have records of Irish births, marriages and burials as early as 1728, also under the French regime. After the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759, the English speaking Catholics of Irish-Scottish-British origin were identified as such, and described as a group by the ruling British Governors and their subordinates.

Saint Patrick’s Day (1765) The Quebec Gazette account of Saint Patrick’s Day events in 1765 which read in part: "…besides the divine service, entertainment and toasts will be held at the tavern, followed on the Monday night by a ball" – It appears that the festivities were held at Hugh Maguire’s Shamrock Inn near the Haymarket.." – Which indicates that the Irish settlers in Québec City in 1765, had grown into a substantial number of families.

Old Quebec - Vieux Québec - Notre Dame Cathedral (1728 to 1818) – The church was first established in 1621, about 1728, under the French regime, a few Irish, or British or Scottish settlers were known to worship in this House of God – From about 1760, under the British Regime, the Cathedral would be the home to many Irish / Scottish / British parishioners. Rev. Patrick McMahon, presiding from 1822 to 1828 - From about 1822 to 1828, Masses were celebrated in both English and French. Prior to the establishment of St. Patrick in 1833, Notre-Dame (Cathedral), plus Notre-Dame de la Garde, Notre-Dame de Saint-Roch and Notre-Dame des Victoires were known as the Irish Churches – At the Archives Nationales, book #785 outlines the marriages of Irish / Scottish / British Catholics from 1728 to 1900

Old Quebec - Vieux Québec – Chapel of the Congregationalists / Jesuit Fathers (1822) Rev. Simon Lawlor, presiding – From about 1822 to 1826, church services for the Irish Catholics were held in the Congregational Chapel, the latter was then located within the walls of the Convent of the Jesuit Fathers on Esplanade Hill (d’Auteuil) – Marriages, baptisms, burials were conducted at Notre Dame Cathedral

Old Quebec - Vieux Québec - Notre Dame des Victoires (Diamond Harbour Chapel) (1824) – First established in 1608 and located next to the Port of Québec, this parish became in 1824 a separate congregation for the Irish immigrants. Father Patrick McMahon, presiding - Early Québec Irish settlers supplied much of the labour on the docks and built many of Québec’s best-known landmarks. The parish became known to the Irish as Diamond Harbour Chapel > Church registers, part of Notre Dame Cathedral

Sainte Foy - Notre Dame de Foy (1831) – First established in 1679, this parish would welcome its first Irish parishioners in 1831 – Rev. Henry Harkin, Rev. Alexander E. Maguire, presiding - The church burnt down in 1977– Prior to 1977, this church was the third focal point of the Irish community of Québec City. The region of Sainte Foy with nearby Sillery and Cap Rouge is still to this day, the bedroom community of the well-educated and of the professionals of the Old Capital.

Saint Roch Ward - Notre Dame de Saint-Roch (1831) – First established in 1829, this parish would welcome its first Irish family in 1831 - By 1851, the Irish population of Québec City had climbed to 9120, an 800% increase in thirty years. Saint Roch Ward in Lower Québec City, became the home to the second largest community of Irish families in the city

Old Quebec - Vieux Québec - Notre Dame des Anges (1831) – First established in 1728, this chapel was located within the First Québec City Hospital (Hopital Général) and as such it welcomed many of the new born Irish children as early as 1831 - A book at the Archives Nationales du Québec in Montréal #787, covers in part the Irish Marriages from 1728 to 1900

Upper Town - Haute Ville - Saint-Patrick Church (1832) – Founded in 1832 and first located on McMahon Street, close to Hôtel Victoria. Established for the special use of the Irish Catholic population by the celebrated Father Patrick McMahon. The first mass was celebrated on July 7th 1833. The number of parishioners of Saint Patrick numbered between 6,000 to 8,000 in 1833.

Upper Town – Haute Ville - Cholera Burying Ground (1832) The cemetery located on Grande Allée was opened during the year of the first cholera in 1832 and lasted until 1856 – In 1832 alone, the cholera epidemic killed 3,451 individuals, the majority were Irish

Old Quebec - Vieux Québec - Saint Luke (Marine Hospital Catholic Mission) (1847) – This hospital in comparison to other much larger hospitals of the region appears to have been the Hospital of the Irish Community in Québec. In 1847, hundreds of Irish immigrants who had been deemed to be in good health at Grosse Isle, upstream on the St. Lawrence were confirmed with the dreaded disease of the typhus fever. A substantial number of these Irish Emigrants would succumb from this plague in various hospitals of the region including Saint Luke – see also Grosse Isle (further down on this compilation) - Previous to this Québec compilation – see within the Montréal portion in 1847 under Point St.Charles Fever Sheds and 1859 under Victoria Bridge.

Beauport – Nativity of Notre Dame (1854) First established in 1673 – In a 1832 document prepared by the Immigration Agent at the Port of Québec, Beauport was listed as being a choice destination of would-be Irish settlers. I was able to ascertain that the first Irish marriage took place in 1854, which might indicate that Irish marriages, baptisms and burials were conducted at nearby Notre Dame Cathedral

Sillery - Saint-Colomban of Sillery (1855) - The second Irish Church in Québec City – Rev. Peter Henry Harkin, a priest from Ireland was the first Pastor of the new church from 1855 – His successor, Father Alexander Eustace Maguire, requested and served as Pastor of the Catholic Mission at Grosse-Isle in 1871 – His uncle Bishop E. J. Horan served as Pastor at the Island Mission in 1847–- Father Maguire did not survive the ordeal of Grosse Isle - The church no longer exist, it has been replaced by Saint-Michael of Sillery

Sillery - Saint Michael’s Chapel of Sillery (1855) – A second Irish Parish in the upscale town of Sillery - See also Saint Columban of Sillery

Champlain Ward – Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help / The Irish Chapel / Notre-Dame de la Garde (1860) – Located from about 1860 in a former school for Irish boys, this chapel was located near the Port of Québec on Champlain street – This church was the second home to many of the Irish dock workers, the region was also known as the Cove or Cap Blanc (White Cove) and also referred to by the Irish as Champlain Ward. Many of the Irish workers of that region would also work at the nearby Bell & Taylor Shipyards, in the construction of various ships. The many wharves along the St. Lawrence in Lower Town were the landing places of the immigrants between 1814 to the early 1920’s. All marriages, baptisms and burials would have been carried-out at Saint Patrick or Notre Dame Cathedrals.

Old Quebec – Vieux Québec - Sacred Heart Hospital (1874) – From 1874 to 1935, Irish baptisms / marriages were performed in the Hospital Chapel

Saint Jean Baptiste Ward - Saint John the Baptist (Saint Jean-Baptiste) (1886) – First opened in 1860, the region could be described as blue-collar tenements, both French Canadians and Irish families inter-married as early as 1886

Cap Rouge - Saint Félix (1889) – First established in 1862 and located west of Sainte Foy / Sillery, a farming community in the 1860’s blessed with fertile land along the shores of the St. Lawrence. I was able to trace the first Irish marriage at the parish in 1889

Lower Town - Basse-Ville - Saint Malo (1899) – Irish and French Canadians intermarried in this region of Québec.

Charlesbourg - Notre Dame des Laurentides (1905) – Located slightly north of Québec, it is now part of Québec City. In the early 1900’s and prior, the region was prime farming country.

Sainte-Foy - Très Saint Sacrement (1921) – Located in the region of Laval University Université de Laval) – Many Irish descendants of the early emigrants became business and professional leaders of the Capital City.

Up-town - Haute-Ville – Saints Martyrs (1928) Located in an upscale region of the city.

In the sping of 1847, a seagoing ship brought 241 miserable immigrants fleeing the Great Famine in Ireland. They were anchored off Grosse Ile, an island below Québec where immigrants with typhus, cholera, and smallpox were quarantined. The Irish immigrants had brought an epidemic that would rage throughout Canada - In the cemetery below Telegraph Hill on Grosse Isle stands a monument which says: "In this secluded spot lie the mortal remains of 5424 persons who fleeing from pestilence and famine in Ireland in the year 1847 found in America but a grave"

Saint Luke of Grosse Ile (Saint Luc) (1834)

Saint John the Evangelist (Anglican) (1843)

Between 1820 and 1830, the Irish immigrants would move into Portneuf county and would join the Scottish Protestants who had previously established the area some 20 years prior. Towns such as Sainte Catherine of Jacques Cartier, Saint Gabriel of Valcartier, Shannon, Tewksbury, Stoneham, Lake Beauport among others became the new homes of the Irish in these northern communities.

Many North American Irish descendants will tell you that their Irish ancestors first established their residence in the Portneuf region of Québec City. The region attracted Irish and Scottish farmers as early as 1816. The quality of the land is fertile and ideal for small farm owners. Portneuf County is located along the northern shores of the St. Lawrence River, slightly upstream and west of Québec City – The leading Irish communities of Portneuf were Sainte Catherine of Jacques Cartier (1832), Wexford Road of St. Gabriel of Valcartier (1820), Saint Gabriel of Valcartier (1820), Stoneham (1824), Shannon (1830), St. Dunstan (1830), Pont Rouge (1834) with surrounding communities such as Portneuf, St. Raymond, St. Basile, St. Christine and others. Most were farming communities with 50-acre farms. The region in the 1830’s was a primary destination for Irish farmers with a North American destination who were willing to settle on a small acreage.

Deschambault (Portneuf) – Saint Joseph – (1798) - In 1832, the Government of Lower Canada issued a document addressed to Irish settlers arriving at the Port of Québec, indicating in part that the region of Portneuf County was a prime destination of Irish homesteaders, among the towns of the region listed were Deschambault, Tewksbury, Val Cartier, Beauport, Stoneham, Jacques Cartier and the town of Portneuf.

Stoneham - Saint-Edmond of Stoneham (1824) As early as 1817, Irish, Americans from Connecticut, Scots and British were settling the area. The town of Stoneham was recommended in the early 1830’s by the British Authorities as a destination of choice for Irish Emigrants who wanted to settle on their own small farms.

Shannon of Jacques Cartier – Saint-Joseph’s Mission (1830) - The Shannon mission church no longer exist but the small Irish Community is still active to this day and some of their parishioners are members of the Québec City Region of English Speaking Religious Organizations which includes Protestant and Catholic church groups.

Saint Catherine of Jacques Cartier - Sainte-Catherine (1832) – This parish had the largest congregational base of Irish parishioners in Portneuf County, the first Irish marriage occurred in 1832

Fossambault of Portneuf / Pont Rouge – Saint Patrick (1832) – Between 1821 and 1828, the Seigniory of Fossambault would grant acreage suitable for farming to Andrew Wilson, George Thompson, John McCord, James Morrow on the Brulé Range. These four families were the first Irish settlers west of St. Catherine of Portneuf. The region was also known as Cap Santé.

Saint Gabriel of Valcartier – Saint Gabriel (1843) – First established in 1820. With Saint Catherine of Jacques Cartier, Saint Gabriel was the heart of the Irish people of Portneuf County – The first Irish marriage took place in 1843

Belcourt / Portneuf - Saint Basile of Portneuf (1843) Dual Irish / French Parish

St. Raymond of Portneuf - Saint Raymond (1845) – Another Irish / French Canadian parish of the region

Saint Augustin – Saint Augustin (1845) – First established in 1691 and located along the banks of the St. Lawrence, just west of Cap Rouge, Sainte Foy and Sillery, the region in the 1800’s was most likely the best fertile land for farming in the Québec City region. To this day, large farms are still operational. The first Irish settlers in the region were worshipping at this church from about 1845

Saint Alban – Saint Alban – (1859) First established in 1856, It would welcome among its ranks the Irish families in 1859

Tewksbury – Saint James (Jacques) (1865) – The region was first served by a mission as early as 1865, most likely as a mission of Stoneham or Saint Gabriel of Jacques Cartier, only in 1921 did the church of Saint James opened its doors. The church still exist to this day, it is only opened during the summer months – Tewsbury was decreed by the management of the Port of Québec in 1832 as being a recommended destination for would-be Irish homesteaders. Please note that the town of Tewksbury is part of the County of Québec, but the town has always been associated with Portneuf.

Portneuf - Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows (Notre-Dane des Sept Douleurs) (1889) First established in 1861, the parish would welcome its first Irish families about 1889.

Pont Rouge – Sainte Jeanne d’Arc Chapel (1889) – First established in 1869, about 1889 it became another small Irish community, Pont Rouge is located west of Saint Catherine of Jacques Cartier. The region was once a vibrant Irish farming destination. The latter is also a participating member of the present-day English Community of Québec City.

Donnacona – Saint Agnès (1917) – The Irish of the region prior to 1917 were worshiping in Shannon. A few Irish families were also found in two neighboring villages; Cap Santé and Les Écureuils - By the 1980’s most of the Irish of Donnacona had left the region.

The region of Beauport is located east and north of Québec City and its northern limit is adjacent to the eastern limit of Portneuf County. These two regions located north of Québec City were first settled by Scottish immigrants between 1780 and 1790 to be followed from about 1820 to 1830 by Irish farmers. The majority of the farms allocated were small, less than 25 acres in a mountainous region, not suited for the raising of large crops. The latter does explain the exit of many of the Irish and Scots within three generations to better lifestyles in southern Québec, Ontario, the West and the U.S.A.

Ste-Brigitte de Laval - Sainte Brigitte de Laval (1834) – Located slightly north of Lake Beauport, the first settlers to the parish were Irish in the early 1830’s. Although the town of Sainte Brigitte de Laval is located within the county of Montmorency, the northern region of the latter is located next to Portneuf County and as so the region has been associated with the latter since its founding..

Lake Beauport – Saint Dunstan (1840) – The Irish church opened in 1834. The first surviving Irish marriage is dated in 1840. The church no longer exist, it burned-down.

Beauport – Notre Dame (La Nativité) (1854) First esablished in 1671 – The first Irish family in the parish in 1854

Giffard – Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1908) – First established in 1902 – The Irish marriages began in 1908

Montmorency – Saint Gregory (Grégoire) (1914) – First established in 1891, the Irish presence began in 1914

In the rural areas south of Québec City, Irish were established as early as 1815 in Dorchester and Lotbinière counties in villages such as East Frampton, Sainte Agathe, Saint Patrick, Saint Malachie, Saint Sylvestre. About 1821, the Irish migration had moved to Megantic county.

As early as 1794, Catholic Irish and Scottish farmers began their journey to Canada, one area which attracted a few of them was the region south of Québec City across the St. Lawrence river. The town of Point Levy or in today’s Lauzon was the first to be settled by the Irish and Scottish immigrants. These early Irish / Scottish settlers most likely predated the arrivals of Catholics from the British Isles in the Québec City region.

Point Levy (Pointe Levy) / Lauzon – Saint Joseph (1794) – First established in 1673, the first Irish or Scottish marriage was performed in 1794

St-Nicolas – Saint Nicolas (1827) – Fist established in 1694, the first recorded Irish marriage was performed in 1827

St-Jean Chrysostome – Saint Jean Chrysostome (1848) First established in 1830, the parish also described by the Irish as Saint John’s welcomed it’s first Irish families in 1848

Lévis - Notre-Dame de Lévis (1853) – First established in 1851, two years later the Irish arrived and settled the parish.

St-Romuald - Saint-Romuald of Etchemin (1855) – First settled in 1694, the Irish were present in that parish in 1855

The territory in present-day County of Bellechasse was first established by French colons about 1678 under the French regime. In 1778, Veronique Ward, daughter of Paul Ward and Veronique Boulet married Jean Baiejon in the church of Saint Charles de Bellechasse – In 1787, Mary McLean, daughter of Ignace McLean and of Louise Therrien married Michael Beatty in the Church of Saint Michel de Bellechasse, son of Charles and Angelique Beatty – In 1789, Mary McLean, daughter also of Ignace and Catherine McLean, married in the Church of Saint Michel de Bellechasse, Nicholas Boissonnault – In 1795 in the Church of Saint Vallier de Bellechasse, Anthony McNeil, son of Ignace and Catherine McNeil married Elisabeth Dannis dit Lapierre – These are only a few of the Irish and Scottish pioneers who settled Bellechasse County prior to 1800, many more fellow countrymen would follow.

St-Charles de Bellechasse – Saint Charles (1778) First established in 1749, the first Irish / Scottish marriage in 1778

St-Michel de Bellechasse – Saint Michael (Michel) (1787) First established 1678, the first Irish / Scottish presence in 1787

St-Vallier de Bellechasse – Saint-Philippe & Saint-Jacques (1795) First established in 1714, the first Irish or Scottish marriage in 1795

Beaumont - Saint Stephen (Étienne) (1795) First established in 1692, the first Irish presence about 1795

St-Gervais de Bellechasse – Saint Gervais (1819) First established in 1780, in 1819 the Irish had arrived.

St-Claire de Bellechasse - Sainte-Claire (1824)

St-Anselme de Bellechasse – Saint Anselme (1832) First established in 1830, two years later the immigrants from Ireland were present

Armagh – Saint Cajetan de Bellechasse (1854) The town was established in 1830 – The church in 1854, the Irish also arrived in 1854

St-Malachie de Bellechasse - Saint Malachie (1857) - First established as an Irish parish

St-Raphael de Bellechasse – Saint Raphael (1887) - Church established in 1851, the Irish were present in 1887

Buckland – Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice (1863) - Bukland was first settled by Anglo Protestants

St-Nérée de Bellechasse - Saint Nérée (1883) - A few Irish families

St-Damien de Bellechasse – Saint Damien (1888) Established in 1883, five years before the arrival of the Irish

Leillis - Saint Camille (1902) - Mostly first settled by Anglo Protestants, a few Irish families were present.

St-Nazaire de Bellechasse – Saint Nazaire (1903) A few Irish families

Dorchester County

The region of St-Malachie, originally called East Frampton, owes its development to a great number of Irish and Scottish immigrants who fled Europe devastated by the famine in the beginning of the 19th century. About 1806, several families left Ireland in order to settle in Canada, among these emigrants, a great number would settle in the township of St-Malachie, Frampton and surrounding villages. Few Irish live in Frampton today and the townships resembles countless others in rural Québec. Save for the graveyards. Their tombstones recall a past built and sustained by Irish families – names such as O’Neill, Doyle, Fitzgerald, Redmond, Kelly, O’Connell, Corrigan, Dillon, Cullen, Kennedy, Kilcullen, Kinsella, Lonergan, Lyons, O’Farrell, Quigley and many others.

East Frampton - The Small Parish (La petite paroisse) (also described in early documents as Saint Edmond of Frampton (1822) Established for the early Irish emigrants and French farmers. The church no longer exist – The town of Frampton was recommended to Irish Emigrants arriving at the Port of Québec as being a choice location for Irish families wishing to settle as farmers.

St. Claire of Dorchester – Sainte Claire (1824)

St-Anselme de Dorchester – Saint Anselme (1827)

Frampton - Saint-Edward of Frampton (1829)

St-Isidore de Dorchester – Saint Isidore (1834)

St-Prosper de Dorchester – Saint Prosper (1840)

St. Margaret of Dorchester – Sainte Marguerite (1840)

St. Malachie of Frampton – Sainte Malachie (Malachy) (1841)

St-Bernard de Dorchester – Saint Bernard (1844)

Ste-Hénédine de Dorchester - Sainte Hénédine (1852)

Cranbourne / St-Odilon de Dorchester – Saint Odillon (1857)

Ste-Justine de Dorchester – Sainte Justine (1865)

Lake (Lac) Etchemin – Sainte-Germaine (1867)

Standon – Saint Leon of Standon (1872)

Cranbourne - Saint Odilon (1883)

Scott Junction - Saint Maxime (1892)

Watford - Sainte Rose (1894)

Buckland - Saint Nazaire (1902)

St-Cyprien de Dorchester - Saint Cyprien (1919)

The Seigniory of Lotbinière begins at the St. Lawrence River, south of Québec City and stretches southeastward to the border of Mégantic County. It is mainly rural. Of the 22 Catholic parishes established since the days of the seigneurial system, Irish settlements were mainly confined to areas along Gosford Road in the southern parishes of Saint-Sylvestre, Sainte-Agathe, Saint-Gilles (Giles), Saint-Patrick of Beaurivage and the parishes, which bordered with Mégantic County. In the 1820’s the southern parishes received a large contingent of Irish Catholics who were assigned 50-acre lots as tenant farmers, interspersed with French and Scottish farmers – The Protestants of Lotbinière were few in comparison to the Catholics. The Protestant presence in Lotbinière began in 1831 with preaching-points established in various villages located along Craig Road by Presbyterian, Wesleyan Methodist and Anglican Missionaries. The Irish Protestants of the region, mostly lived in nearby Mégantic County to the west, in regions referred to at the time as Leeds, Inverness, Kinnear’s Mills, Ireland, most of them, located along the famous Craig’s Road.

Craig and Gosford Roads – The Governor of Lower Canada Sir James Henry Craig, issued a decree in 1810 for the construction of a road between St. Gilles and Richmond, a distance of 75 miles – In 1838, Governor Archibald Acheson, Count of Gosford orders the construction of a second road, this one between Ste. Agathe and Sherbrooke.

Seigniory of St-Croix of Beaurivage – Originally a seigniory from the Seigniory of Beaurivage. Now the Municipality of Ste-Croix

New Argyle of the Seigniory of Sainte Croix (Early 1820’s) The community no longer exist but was mentioned in 1832 in documents issued by the Government of Lower Canada, as being a primary destination of Irish homesteaders with the likes of Frampton, St. Giles, New Ireland, Tewksbury, Stoneham, Valcartier, Jacques Cartier, Deschambault, Portneuf, Brandon, Kilkenny, Rawdon, Kildare, Sherbrooke, Chambly, Three Rivers and the Eastern Townships.

St-Sylvestre de Lotbinière – Saint Sylvestre (1820) - The region of St. Sylvestre, was first established by Irish emigrants about 1820 - The church opened in 1828

Mill Range of Lotbinière (1821) Established by Irish settlers in the early 1820’s – The hamlet no longer exist under the name of Mill Range, the region is now referred to as Route du Moulin.

Parkhurst (1825) A former small Irish hamlet established prior to 1825, on the Craig Road in St. Sylvestre Parish - Now part of the Municipality of St. Patrick (St-Patrice)

Saint Patrick of Beaurivage (1825) Named as a region by the Irish Catholic settlers – The various ranges surrounding the village of St-Patrice de Beaurivage were first settled by Irish families – A few Irish families still inhabit the region to this day.

St. John of Lotbinière (1825) Established in the mid 1820’s by Irish and French settlers – The region, no longer exist as such or at least described as such.

Falls of Lotbinière (1826) Established by Irish and French settlers in the mid 1820’s – No longer referred to as such, it is now described as Rang des Chutes

St. David of Lotbinière (1827) Established in the 1820’s by Irish settlers – No longer referred to under this name.

St. Andrew of Lotbinière (1828) Established by Irish and French settlers in the late 1820’s – No longer exist as an entity.

St. Peter of Lotbinière (1829) - Established by Irish and French settlers in the late 1820’s or early 1830’s – No longer exist as a hamlet.

Belfast of Lotbinière (1829) – Established in the late 1820’s by Northern Ireland Protestant Irish – No longer exist as such.

St. Joseph of Lotbinière (1829) Established in the late 1820’s by Irish and French settlers – No longer exist as a gathering place or at least under this name.

St. Giles of Lotbinière – Saint-Gilles (Giles) (1829) – Also described as St. Giles, this community was highly recommended in 1832 to Irish Emigrants arriving at the Port of Québec by the Port Authority management.

Ste-Catherine of Lotbinière (1830) Established by French and Irish settlers in the early 1830’s – The hamlet, no longer exist

New Armagh of Lotbinière (1830) A former settlement on the Armagh Range of St. Sylvestre where the range road crosses the Filkar River. Was part of St. Sylvestre Parish. It is now part of the municipality of Ste-Agathe

St. Charles of Lotbinière (1831) Established by Irish and French settlers in the early 1830’s – No longer referred to, at least under that name.

Fermanagh of Lotbinière (1833) Established in the early 1830’s by Irish settlers – No longer exist, or at least referred to as such.

Monaghan of Lotbinière (1835) Established in the 1830’s by Irish settlers – No longer described as such.

St. Paul of Lotbinière (1835) Established by Irish and French settlers in 1835 – No longer exist

Ste-Agathe de Lotbinière – Sainte Agathe (1853) Still Irish in part to this day – A region was also referred to as The Falls of Ste-Agathe

Saint Patrik of Lotbinière – Saint Patrice (Patrick) (1860) - See 1825

St. Edward of Lotbinière – Saint Edward (1862)

Dosquet of Lotbinière - Saint Octave (1912)

About 1821 the first Irish emigrants would settle in the parish of Sainte-Marie. From 1855 onwards, there was a steady and heavy outward migration toward Saint-George(s) to the east and to other parishes located along the Valley of the Chaudière River toward the State of Maine. The soil was fertile and well drained and ideal for small dairy farms. The strong Irish presence of the 1850’s in this region is still felt to this day with descendants within the French community with Irish surnames or Irish ancestors.

Sainte-Marie de Beauce – Sainte Marie (1806) - The town was established in 1745 – The parish was first settled by Irish emigrants in 1806 and French peasants prior to 1746.

Saint Joseph de Beauce – Saint Joseph (1826) First settled by the French in 1740, the Irish had arrived in 1826

Beauceville – Saint-Francois d’Assise (1831) Established in 1767, in 1831 the Irish were present

Saint-Georges de Beauce – Saint Georges (1842) – First established in 1841, a year later the Irish were there - The largest city in the county of Beauce was also a destination of many Irish Settlers. St. Georges, being located close to the U.S. Border at the State of Maine, became a primary crossing-point of Irish and French Canadian citizens who were searching for work in the New England states.

Linière de Beauce - Saint-Elzear de Beauce (1846) – Linière, also had a Protestant presence about that same time period.

St-Frédéric – Saint Frédéric (1855) – First established in 1852, the Irish were members of the community a few years later

West Broughton - Saint Peter (Pierre) (1855) – Established in part by Irish parishioners

St-Séverin – Saint Séverin (1879) – Established in 1872, seven years later a few Irish families were present

Tring - Saint Éphrem (1866)

East Broughton – Sacred Heart of Jesus (Sacré Coeur de Jésus) (1871)

Shenley - Saint Honoré (1874)

Kennebec / Linière – Saint Côme (1881) – First established in 1872, this border town was the home of a small number of Irish families

In the 1847-1855 time-frame, both Mégantic and Lotbinière experienced a substantial influx of Irish immigrants. In 1831, the population of Mégantic County totaled 2200 individuals, 85% Protestants, 9% Irish Catholics, 6% French Catholics. Unfortunately, some of the regions of Mégantic and Lotbinière were not ideal locations for farming, the soil was poor and rocky, many of the farms were settled on hilly fields, definitely not a suitable solution for modern farming practices, which resulted in a migration within two generations to more fertile and larger farms in Southern Ontario, the Prairie Provinces, the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas and others.

Leeds – Saint Jacques (1829) The birth place of the Irish community in Mégantic

Somerset - Saint Calixte (1845) First settle in 1840, five years later a few Irish families had settled the parish – The town became Plessisville at a later date

Halifax / Inverness Townships – Saint Ferdinand (1852) The Irish were present in the parish in 1852 – The town was renamed Bernierville at a later time period

Halifax – Sainte Sophie (1855)

West Broughton – Saint-Peter (Pierre) (1856) A few Irish families resided in West Broughton

East Broughton – Très Sacré Coeur de Marie (1864) – A few Irish families resided in this village

Laurierville / Somerset - Sainte Julie de Somerset (1866) Established in 1854, a few Irish families were present in 1866

Inverness – Saint Athanase (1867) Established in 1859, the Irish were present in 1867

Ireland – Saint Adrian (1880) The town was established by the Irish Protestants at a much earlier date, a few Irish Catholic families resided in the town in the 1880’s

Lyster / Nelson – Sainte Anastésie (1889) Established in 1870, in 1889 a few Irish families resided in the parish

Black Lake - Saint Désiré (1890) – Located about 2 miles from Thetford Minrs, see the latter for Irish marriages

Coleraine – Saint Joseph (1892) No known Irish marriages recorded, most likely Irish baptisms were performed in the parish

Thetford Mines – Saint Alphonse (1895) Established in 1886, an Irish presence began in 1895

In 1763 the region was known as Buckinghamshire. In 1829 the counties of Sherbrooke, Mégantic, Drummond, Lotbinière, Nicolet, Yamaska were established. In 1854, Wolfe county was created from a portion of Drummond and Sherbrooke counties. In 1854, within the confine of Wolfe county, the following townships were created: Wolfestown / Dudswell / Ham North / Ham South / Weedon / Garthby / Wotton / Stratford.

Wotton – Saint Hippolyte (1861) Established in 1856, five years later a few Irish families were residing in the town

Wolfestown – Saint-Julian (Saint Julien) (1864) A few Irish families resided in the town

Garthby – Beaulac – Saint Charles (1876) Could not find an Irish marriage in the town, most likely Irish baptisms were performed within its walls

Ireland - Saint Adrian of Ireland (St-Adrien d’Irlande) (1886) An Irish town also listed in Mégantic County

Dudswell – Saint Adolphe (1887) Could not find Irish marriages in this village, the Irish were most likely present within the village

Wolfe Township - Saint Camille (1891) Established in 1849, only about 1891 did we find the Irish worshipping in this church

Ham North – Saint Angels (Saints Anges) (1896) Established in 1868, the church would welcome a few Irish families in 1896

Ham – Notre Dame (1897) An Irish destination for a few families in the late 1890’s

Ham South – Saint Joseph (1901) Only in 1901 did the Irish worshipped in this church established in 1880

Weedon – Saint Janvier (1912) First established in 1862, only 50 years later was an Irish marriage celebrated in the parish

Marbleton - Saint Adolphe (1915) In the early 1900’s a few Irish families resided in this parish, the latter was first established in 1887

Fountainebleau – Saint Raymond (1915) – A small Irish community, only a few Irish families

Disraeli – Sainte Luce (1916) Established in 1884, in 1916 a few Irish families had arrived

Bishopton - Saint Clément (1922) – An Irish destination for a few families in the early 1920’s

St-Fortunat – Saint Fortunat (1924) Established in 1871, a few Irish families resided in this parish in the 1920’s

Stenson - Saint James (Jacques) (1937) First established in 1905, only in 1937, did the Irish worshipped in the church

Garthby – Saint Olivier / Saints Martyrs (1943) First established in 1876 as Saint Olivier parish, the Irish only worshipped in this church in the 1940’s

St-Gérard – Saint Gérard Majella (1950) Established in 1905, 45 years later the first Irish marriage was celebrated in the parish

Stratford – Saint Gabriel (1950) A few Irish families worshipped in the church in the 1950’s, a parish established in the late 1850’s

Father Bernard O’Reilly would publish in 1848, a series of articles which would describe the lack of Irish Catholic Missions throughout the Eastern Townships and regions east and north of the latter. These articles were reproduced in various newspapers in cities such as Montréal, Québec and Trois Rivières. Father O’Reilly’s petition was most likely the overture required to launch the establishment of Irish Catholic Missions in the Eastern Townships. The first such mission was established in 1848 in Roxton Falls.

Lambton – Saint Vital (1848)

Forsyth – Saint Évariste (1855)

South Marston – Saint Zénon (1872)

Winslow – Saint Romain (1878) Established in 1865, about 13 years later the Irish were there

Lake Mégantic – Saint Agnès (1882) This church can be described as being the Church of the Irish of Frontenac county

Piopolis / South Marston - Saint Zénon (1883) Established in 1872, a few years later the Irish arrived

Gayhurst - Saint Samuel (1884)

Adstock / Frontenac - Saint Méthode (1889)

Whitton - Sainte Cécile (1890) Established in 1887, a few years later the Irish had arrived

Marston / Val Racine - Saint Léon (1892)– Established in 1892, a few years later the Irish arrived

St-Ludger – Saint Ludger (1896)

Woburn – Saint Augustine (1898)

Spaulding – Saint Hubert (1902)

Courcelles - Sainte Martine (1903)

Stornoway - Saint Alphonse (1910) A few Irish worshipped in this House of God

Dorset - Saint Hilaire (1913)

Ditchfield – Saint Hyacinthe (1918)

Springhill / Nantes - Notre Dame (1922) An Irish town

Milan – Saint Ambroise (1940) A few Irish families resided in the township

Chesham - Notre Dame (1943) Established in 1877, only in 1943 did the Irish worshipped in the church

Bellarmin – Saint Robert of Bellarmin (1944)

Lake Mégantic Township – Saint Jean Vianney (1945)

Lake Mégantic Township - Notre Dame (1946)

Marsboro / Marston – Saint René (1947) – First established in 1884 - Irish families worshipped at this church in the 1940’s

Arthabaska is a deformation of an Abenaki word Ayabaskaw – In 1792, the county was part of Buckinghamshire, the latter extended to the US border to the south, the Richelieu River to the west, the various seigniories established along the St. Lawrence from Sorel to Lévis to the north and the Chaudière River to the east – In 1829 Drummond county was created from this vast domain - In 1855 Arthabaska was created as a county – The latter was served by Catholic Missionaries from 1840 to 1848 in the townships of Blandford / Maddington / Aston / Bulstrode / Somerset / Stanford / Arthabaska / Warwick – The civil registers from 1840 to 1844 can be found among those of the parish of Saint Louis de Blantford. - From 1845 to 1847 among those of the parish of Saint Norbert (Norbertville)

Tingwick – Lorne – Church of the Epiphany – Church no longer exist – See Saint Patrick of Tingwick in 1856

Norbertville - Saint Norbert (1845) – See introduction to the county of Arthabaska, above

Blandford - Saint Louis (1848) – Established in 1840 – See text describing the county of Arthabaska, above

Stanfold - Saint Eusèbe (1848)

Chesterville - Saint Paul (1850)

Victoriaville – Saint Christopher of Arthabaska (Christophe) / Notre Dame / Saint Gabriel / Holy Family (Sainte Famille) / Saints Martyrs (1851)

Princeville – Saint Eusèbe (1855) Established in 1848, a few years later the Irish had arrived

Tinwick – Saint Patrick (1856) – The church of the Irish in the county.

Warwick Township - Saint Albert (1856)

Arthabaska - Saint Christopher (Chistophe) (1857) Established in 1852, five years prior to the arrival of the Irish

Warwick Township – Saint Médard (1859) Established a year prior to the arrival of the Irish

Bulstrode – Saint Valère (1860)

Chester - Saint Paul (1861)

East Chester – Saint Helena (Helène) (1869)

Warwick Township – Sainte Elizabeth (1872)

Tingwick - Saint Rémi (1881) Irish families worshipped in this church

Devaluyville – Sainte-Anne du Sault (1888) – A few Irish families resided in the community

Horton - Sainte Clothilde (1927) Established in 1864, only in 1927 was an Irish marriage blessed in this chapel

Prior to 1805, the region now known as Drummond county was owned by William Grant. After 1805, the territory was purchased by John Richardson, future Governor of Lower Canada and founder of the Bank of Montreal – In 1814, the colonization process began with the allocation of lands to officers and soldiers of the Imperial Army – The county and main city was named in honor of Sir Gordon Drummond, Governor General of Canada - In 1815, about 100 families resided in the future county - The first Catholic Church of the region was established in 1815 in Drummondville – Father J. Rainbault in 1818 became the first Missionary to travel through-out the Eastern Townships from his home church of Saint Frédéric, he would preside over the first Mass as a missionary in 1818 in a private home in Richmond.

Drummondville – Saint Frédéric (1816) Established in 1815, the first Irish marriage was consecrated a year later – The church records of this parish contains some of the earliest Irish marriages and baptisms of the county of Drummond

L’Avenir – Saint-Peter (1850) – An Irish town from about 1832, also referred then as Saint Peter’s of Durham – The church records on microfilms only started in 1850. Prior to that date, one must verify the church records of the parish Saint Jean Baptiste Cathedral in Nicolet (1716) and of Saint Frédéric parish in Drummondville (1815) – Missionaries were visiting the county from about 1818 from Drummondville and prior to that date from Nicolet.

Durham Village – Saint Fulgence (1864) Established in 1863, a year later the first known Irish marriage was blessed

Kinsey – Saint Félix (1865) Established in 1842, the first known Irish marriage in 1865

Wickham – Saint John the Evangelist (1865) First opened in 1837, the first known Irish marriage was performed in 1865 in the then Mission of Saint Fulgence

Grantham Village – Saint-Germain (1866) Established in 1856, a few years later in 1866 the first known Irish marriage was consecrated in the parish

Grantham Township – Saint Eugène (1880) Established in 1878, two years later the first known Irish marriage ceremony was performed

Kingsey Falls – Sainte-Aimé (1890) Established in 1875, only in 1890 was an Irish marriage blessed

Wendover – Saint Cyrille (1895) Established in 1868, the first known Irish marriage was blessed in 1895

Grantham Township – Sainte Majorique – (1902) Established in 1900, Irish families resided the parish as early as 1902

Located across from Trois Rivières, and north of Drummond county, very few Irish farmers settled-in the region – See the churches of Drummond, Arthabaska and perhaps Bagot counties as the places of worship for these few Irish families of Nicolet county

This county is mostly French, but one can find an Irish presence in some of the most southeastern parishes.

St-Hugues de Bagot – Saint Hugues (1851) Established in 1827, the first recorded Irish marriage was in 1851

Upton – Saint William (Guillaume) / Saint Éphrem (1856) First established in 1833 as the Mission of Saint William (Guillaume) of Upton, in 1856 it became Saint Éphrem at which time the first known Irish marriage was recorded. Earlier Irish marriages and baptisms most assuredly took place, but church documents are no longer available – See Acton Vale or Saint Hughes as possible sources

Acton Vale – Saint Andrew (Saint André) (1859) First established in 1858, the first Irish marriage was recorded in 1859

Ste-Hélène de Bagot – Sainte Hélène (1865) First established in 1854, the first known Irish marriage was recorded in 1865

Ste-Christine de Bagot – Sainte Christine (1893) Established in 1886, a few years later in 1893, the first known Irish marriage was sanctified in this parish

St-Nazaire de Bagot – Saint Nazaire (1902) Established in 1890, the first Irish marriage was celebrated in 1902

This county is also mostly French, but a surprising number of parishes were attended by the Irish

Courval – Saint Zéphirin (1846)

St-Bonaventure de Yamaska – Saint Bonaventure (1866)

Pierreville - Saint Elphège (1886)

La Visitation de Yamaska – La Visitation (1898)

Courval / St-Joachim – Saint Joachim (1901)

Eastern Townships Catholic Missions / Missions des Cantons de l’Est – 1826-1846 - Father Stephen Blyth / Father John Falvey / Father James Hughes / Father Terence Kieran / Father John McMahon / Father James Moore / Father Charles Morrison / Father Patrick Phelan – All of them born in Ireland with the exception of Fr. Morrison, all served the Eastern Townships from 1826 to 1846, all served the Irish and Scottish community in regions from Stanstead county to Huntingdon county – They would baptize children, marry couples, bless the remains at cemeteries and guide people through-out the Townships – Unfortunately most of the church records from 1826 to 1833 did not survive. What survived is an index of marriages, baptisms and burials kept at the Archives Nationales du Québec on Viger street covering the period of 1826-1846 under book #1970 – Another book #153 also covers in part some the same Missions – A microfilm under the name of Missions des Cantons de l’Est cover some of the baptisms, marriages and burials from 1838 to 1846 under microfilms #1151c & #261 - In addition to, it appears that some of these baptisms, marriages and burials from 1826 to 1831 for the towns of Sherrington, Hinchinbrook, Beauharnois, Ormstown, Jamestown (NY), Williamstown (NY), Hemmingford, Babyville (Huntingdon), Chateauguay were actually inserted into the church records of the parish of Saint Patrick in Hinchinbrook, county of Huntingdon – See also Athelstan as a possible source.

In the aftermath of the American Revolution, English colonists spread further north along the Connecticut River from regions to the south. As early as 1792, a number of Americans had settled into the area and would establish villages such as; Huntingville (1814), Milby (early 1790’s), Compton Village (1874), Coaticook (1830), St-Hermenégilde (1830’s), East Hereford (1818), Sawyerville (1793), Eaton Corner (1824). The first Catholic Church in the county was only established in 1855.

Compton – Saint Thomas of Aquinas (1855)

St-Hermenegilde - Saint Hermenegilde (1856)

Clifton – Saint Edwidge (1865)

Cookshire – Saint Camille of Lellis (1868)

Brompton - Saint Praxede (1872)

Auckland - Saint Malo (1883)

Emberton - Saint John Baptist (Jean) (1883)

East Angus – Saint Louis (1888)

Scotstown – Saint Paul (1888)

Sawyerville - Notre Dame (1893)

Martinville - Saint Martin (1906)

East Hereford - Saint Henry (Henri) (1907)

Waterville - Assumption (Assomption) (1907)

Bury - Saint Raphael (1908)

Gould / Lingwick - Saint Margaret (Marguerite) (1914)

Eaton - Notre Dame (1919)

Johnville - Notre Dame (1919)

The County of Sherbrooke was first settled by American, British and Scottish immigrants as early as 1798. Farming and the wood cutting industry were ways of life for most of the early emigrants of the region. The Irish presence in the region became a factor in the 1830’s – The first Catholic Church of the County of Sherbrooke was established in 1834

Sherbrooke – Saint Columban (1834) – see Saint Michael’s for holdings.

Sherbrooke – Saint Michael’s Cathedral (1872)

Lennoxville – Saint Anthony (1878)

Sherbrooke - Saint Patrick (1887)

Orford – Saint Élie (1887)

Rock Forest – Saint Rock of Orford (1891)

Ascot Corner – Saint Stanislas (1894)

People from Derby Line in Orleans County, Vermont and Stanstead of the same county-name in Québec have been sharing a common border since the American Revolution. People of these two counties have been inter-marrying, some family members were married in one country, had their children baptized into the other and were buried on both side of the border. Members of the British, Scot, American, Irish and French communities of this region can attest to have family members on both side of the border. The area was also known as a crossing point for families who had decided to establish a permanent residence in the U.S.A., and such was the case for thousands of Irish families in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The first Catholic Church was established in the county in 1848.

Stanstead - Sacred Heart (1848)

Magog – Saint Patrick (1861)

Coaticook – Saint Edmond (1868)

Stanhope / Boundary Line - Saint Susan (Suzanne) (1875)

North Hatley – Saint Elizabeth (1870)

Barford - Saint Hermenegilde (1874)

Hatley - Saint Catherine (1881)

Kingscroft - Saint Wilfred (1903)

North Hatley - Saint Elizabeth (1906)

Dixville - Saint Matthew (Mathieu) (1915)

Rock Island - Notre Dame (1916)

Fitch Bay - Saint Éphrem (1922)

Beebe Plain - Saint Theresa (Thérèse) (1925)

Barnston – Saint Luke (Luc) (1937)

Ayers’s Cliff – Saint Barthelemy (1946)

Richmond County is considered by many historians as being the Home of the Irish in the Eastern Townships. The St. Patrick’s Society in Richmond is the oldest Irish Society in Québec outside of Montréal. In 2002, in honor of the area many Irish and other Celtic settlers, the St. Pat’s Society of Richmond unveiled a splendid granite Celtic Cross in downtown Richmond. The society can be reached at: ^{bob.dalton@sympatico.ca or at: Bob Dalton at 819-826-2434}

Richmond – Saint Bibiane (1851)

Windsor - Saint Georges / Saint Urbain (1863)

Danville - Saint Ann (Anne) (1866)

Bromptonville - Saint Praxède (1872)

Windsor Mills – Saint Philip (1873)

Stoke – Saint Philémon (1875)

Brompton – Saint Francis Xavier (1885)

Asbestos – Saint Aimé (1897)

Kingsbury - Saint Malachie (1915)

As early as 1831, Catholic Missionaries would criss-cross the county, baptizing, marrying and even blessing the departed ones at local cemeteries - The first permanent Irish Catholic Mission to be established in the Townships by Father Bernard O’Reilly was located in Roxton Falls in 1848. The establishment and staffing of this mission was soon repeated throughout various other regions of the Townships and districts east and north of the Townships. Granby being its hub, the county of Shefford was first settled by American, British, Scottish immigrants in the late 1790’s. The Irish would settle the region, in the early 1840’s.

Eastern Townships Missionaries (1831 to 1844)

Granby - Notre Dame (1844)

Stukely - Notre Dame (1846)

Roxton Falls – Saint John the Baptist (1854) First established in 1848, a few years later in 1854, the Irish had arrived

Granby – Notre Dame (1854) – First established in 1844, ten years later the Irish had arrived.

Abbotsford – Saint Paul (1855)

Sherrington – Saint Patrick (1858)

Milton – Saint Cecilia (1858) First established in 1849, in 1858, the Irish arrived

Stukely – Sainte Anne de la Rochelle (1859) Established in 1857, two years later the Irish were there

Milton – Saint Valérien (1860) – Established in 1854, six years later the Irish had arrived.

Shefford – Saint Joachim (1861) First established in 1859, two years later the Irish were established in the region

Bromont – Saint Francis Xavier (1863) Established in 1856, in 1863 the Irish arrived

Granby – Saint Patrick (1863) – The Irish parish

Waterloo – Saint Bernardin (1866) Established in 1865, a year later the Irish had arrived

Ely / Valcourt – Saint Joseph (1875) Established in 1854, 21 years later the Irish came

Many early Brome settlers were loyalists from New England. As early as 1792, settlers pushed east along the Missisquoi River from Missisquoi Bay into a region to be later described as Brome County, which would feature future villages such as Abercorn, Bolton, Brome, Eastman, Fulford, Glen Sutton, Knowlton, Mansonville, Potton, Sutton, Vale Perkins. The first Catholic Church was established in 1831 as a Mission known then as "Cantons de l’Est". It does appear that this Catholic Mission was staffed by Travelling Missionaries and was not located in any permanent buildings.

Eastern Townships (Catholic Missions of the Eastern Townships / Missions des Cantons de l’Est) (1831 to 1844)

Bolton – Saint Stephen (Étienne) (1851)

Sutton – Saint Andrew (André) (1858)

Brome Lake / Knowlton – Saint Edward (Edouard) (1868)

Mansonville – Saint Cajetan (1872)

Adamsville - Saint Vincent (1873)

Mansonville / Potton - Saint Cajetan (1881)

Eastman - Saint Edward (Edouard) (1895)

Austin – Saint Austin (1913)

Glen Sutton - Notre Dame (1918)

Brigham – Saint Mary (1925)

Abercorn - Saint Simon (1941)

South Bolton - Saint Thomas (1944)

The first migrants arrived in Missisquoi Bay in the 1770’s and 1780’s, mainly from New York’s upper Hudson and Mohawk River Valleys. They would settle in towns such as Dunham, Stanbridge, Bedford, Pigeon Hill, Noyan, Cowansville, Philipsburg, St-Armand, Freligsburg among others. As early as 1847, a few Irish Catholic families had settled the county.

Eastern Townships Missionaries (1831 to 1844)

Stanbridge – Notre Dame (1847) First established in 1846, a year later he Irish arrived

Stanbridge East – Holy Cross (Sainte Croix) (1850) – First established in 1847, the first Irish marriage in 1850

Dunham - Holy Cross (Sainte Croix) (1851) First established in 1850, the first Irish marriage in 1851

Farnham – Saint Romuald (1852) First established in 1847, the first Irish marriage in 1852

Bedford – Saint Damien (1873) – First established in 1869, the Irish arrived in 1873

Saint Armand – Notre Dame (1875) First established in 1874, a year later the Irish were present

Stanbridge – Saint Ignace (1880) – Established in 1877, three years later the Irish were present

Clarenceville – Saint James the Major (1885) First established in 1883, the Irish were present two years later

Sweetsburg – Saint Rose (1889) First established in 1877, only in 1889 was the first Irish marriage performed

Frelighsburg – Saint Francis (1892) Established in 1886, the Irish arrived six years later

About 1780, Huntingdon County was being formed. As early as 1810, villages such as Huntingdon, Athelstan, St-Anicet, Hemmingford, Power’s Court, Franklin Centre, Dundee, Hinchinbrook were being incorporated into townships. The first Catholic Church was established in 1810 in St-Anicet. The church of Ste-Agnès of Dundee, stems back to the early 1860’s when local residents began work to establish the church. From 1840 and perhaps a little before, Irish Catholics from Huntingdon County were known to worship at Saint Patrick in Hogansburg, New York, the latter church would also be a central point of Catholics of Franklin County, north eastern St. Lawrence County, plus the English speaking residents of South West Quebec, especially those residing in Huntingdon and Chateauguay Counties – From about 1850, St. Mary’s Parish in Fort Covington, New York served the Irish and Scottish Catholic residents of the townships, region and county.of Huntingdon.

Sherrington / Hinchinbrooke / Beauharnois / Ormstown / Jamestown / Williamstown / Hemmingford / Babyville / Chateauguay (1826) – An index of church records of baptisms, marriages, burials between the years 1826 and 1846, are most likely the only surviving documents related to these Missions. The latter were transcribed before the disappearance of the actual documents from a Court vault in Valleyfield. Only the index survived, the latter was reproduced as part of a book #1970, entitled Missions des Cantons de l’Est (Missions of the Eastern Townships) kept at ANQ on Viger street.

Godmanchester – Cantons de l’Est Missionnaires Catholiques (Eastern Townships Catholic Missionaries) (1829)– One of the earliest Catholic Mission in Huntingdon County – see 1826

Rockburn (Rennie’s Corner) – Parish of Rockburn, also referred to as the Old Catholic Church (1831) – Established in 1831 or slightly prior, in 1929 the church burned down to the ground – The parishioners would worship from that point on at Saint Patrick in Hinchinbrook.- The only known source reference in regard to the burials at this church are kept at ANQ Montreal in book #1480, pages 297 to 300, burials from 1831 to 1929

St-Anicet - Saint Anicet Mission of the Eastern Towhips Missions (1831) First established about 1810, the first Irish and Scottish Catholics appear to have settled the area prior to 1831 – In 1822 Father James Moore was appointed Pastor of the parish

Hinchinbrooke – Eastern Townships Catholic Missionaries First established in 1829 – see 1826

Hogansburg – Saint Patrick - Franklin County - New York (1840) – The first Irish Catholic baptism I was able to find of a Canadian resident was the baptism of a Mary Connors in 1840, daughter of John Connors and of Mary O’Brien of the region of St. Regis on the Québec side.

Fort Covington – Saint Mary’s Parish - Franklin County – New York (1850) - From about 1850 and perhaps prior, Irish and Scottish Canadians from Huntingdon and perhaps Chateauguay Counties were known to attend church services at Saint Mary’s Parish. It stands to reason that one would find baptism and marriage documents at this Parish related to the early English speaking Catholics from the southwest region of Lower Canada.

Athelstan – Saint Patrick – Established in 1858, a preaching point of Saint Patrick in Hinchinbrook

Hinchinbrooke Township – Saint Patrick (1858) – Established about 1858 and located south of Rockburn on Range 1, the church of the Irish burned down in 1929. It was located opposite the Catholic Cemetery. The church served many of the Irish families who settled in the vicinity.

Herdman – Saint Patrick (1858), a preaching point of Saint Patrick of Hinchinbrook

St-Antoine Abbé – Saint Antoine (Anthony) (1866) – Established in 1860, first Irish marriage in 1866

Huntingdon – Saint Joseph (1862) First established in 1852, first Irish marriage in 1862

Dundee – Saint Agnès (1870) First established in 1862, first Irish marriage in 1870

Franklin – See Huntingdon

The Chateauguay Valley was first established in 1638 under the French Regime, when Francois de Lauzon was first conceded the Seigniory of Chateauguay. As early as 1827 many Scottish and Irish families moved in along the Chateauguay river. The Church of Saint Malachie in Ormstown could probably be described as the first true Irish Church in the valley, although the Parish of Sainte Martine most likely preceded Saint Malachie as a worship centre of the Irish and Scottish. An Irish cemetery was established in the late 1820’s in Dewittville.

Eastern Townships Missionaries (1831 to 1843)

Ormstown / Dewittville – Saint Malachie (1832) First establish in 1825, the Parish of Saint Malachie and Sainte Martine appears to be the first Catholic church of the Valley to welcome Irish and Scottish immigrants as early as 1832 – Although the region of Glengarry across the St. Lawrence in the eastern portion of the Ottawa Valley was the favorite destination of Catholic Irish Highlanders, it is not known by this writer of the extent of the migration of the latter group into Chateauguay and Huntingson Counties in the early 1800’s – In 1846, Father Terence Kieran was assigned to the parish, he would serve the region until 1852 – Father Kieran had been ordained in Dublin, Ireland on June 10th 1843 and left for Lower Canada in December of the same year.

Ste-Martine - Sainte Martine (1832) First settled in 1823 – In 1833, Father Stephen Blyth was appointed to the parish – From 1833 to 1836, Father Blyth would also double-up as a Missionary for the Eastern Townships Missions

Chateauguay – Saint Joachim (1840) – First established in 1736, the Irish and Scottish pioneers in this region appear to have settled the area just prior to 1840

St-Jean-Chrysostome - Saint Chrysostome (1842) First established in 1838, the first Irish marriage in 1842 – In 1845, Father Terence Kieran was assigned to the parish, he would serve the district until 1852

Hemmingford – Saint Romain (1856) First established in 1839, the first Irish marriage in 1856

Mercier - Sainte Philomène (1867) First established in 1840, the first Irish marriage in 1867

Covey Hill – See St. Chrysostome

Havelock – See St. Chrysostome

From 1842 to 1845, more than 2,000 manual workers, many of them Irish were hired for the construction of the Beauharnois Canal and Lock. Following the completion of the canal work, many of the same Irish workers with members of their families would settle in the region. The pulp and paper industry had previously settled in the Valleyfield / Beauharnois region with wood transforming plants, thus creating hundreds of employment opportunities for the Irish workers.

Valleyfield Region – Irish Missions (1839) – Rev. John Falvey, Missionnary to the Irish from 1839 to 1841

Beauharnois – Saint Thimothy (Thimothé) (1842) – Established in 1842, this church was the Church of the Irish – Rev. John Falvey, presiding from 1842 to 1844

Beauharnois – Saint Clément (1842) – First established in 1819, the first Irish marriage in 1842 –