Honoring Heritage Through Landscape

The Irish Commemorative Park stands on the very site where nearly 6,000 victims of typhus were buried immigrants who fled the Great Famine in Ireland.

At the heart of the site lies the Black Rock, a boulder pulled from the riverbed during the construction of the Victoria Bridge, now a symbol of mourning and resilience.

An Agora for Gathering and Reflection

The design features a monumental agora framed by stepped seating, where the Black Rock is elevated by a reflecting pool that evokes the transatlantic journey.

This space invites both contemplation and community gathering, turning history into a tangible, emotional experience.

A Memory Wall and a Lookout Toward Europe

A corten steel wall, perforated with 6,000 Celtic crosses, lines the site. It displays archival images and stories of solidarity, while evoking the hull of a ship.

At its end, a prow-shaped lookout offers sweeping views of the river and city—facing Ireland.

Fragments of Ireland and a Museum Pavilion

The landscape unfolds in “fragments of Ireland”, marked by natural stones that indicate the locations of former immigrant shelters.

A museum pavilion completes the site, providing services and shelter for visitors.

A Milestone on the Great Famine Way

Integrated into the international Great Famine Way, this park becomes a transnational site of memory, linking Montreal to the global history of migration and compassion.