Thousands first set foot on their new homeland on Grosse Isle, a quarantine facility set up outside of Quebec City. Already weakened by starvation, many of them died and were buried there.
Canada would like the Irish to come again, please. Unlike the last great influx, they don't except to be overwhelmed by a tsunami of desperately needy people. In fact, they're after some healthy specimens who, like their ancestors before them, are looking for work and opportunity.
The Canadian fisheries industry and construction sector needs people to fill jobs because there aren't enough Canadians available. The Irish speak English, they aren't afraid of hard work, and they have skills that are going to waste in Ireland. You don't hear about any housing construction booms any more, do you?
Canada's ambassador to Ireland, Loyola Hearn, believes that as many as 30,000 to 40,000 construction workers are needed, and Canada is ready to welcome them with open arms and reasonable rent on a comfortable flat.
From the rain forests of British Columbia to the wind-swept islands of the Maritimes, Irish workers can find paying jobs in a country where the people are noted for their polite manners.
Irish migrants should keep in mind the fact that much of Canada was populated by British loyalists fleeing the successful American revolution back in the 1780's. Being partial to the Crown, it might not be the ideal location for those of the Sinn Fein persuasion.
Or, one could just avoid discussing politics. Learn the rudiments of ice hockey and you've got a safe topic to argue over at the local pub. Well armed with your shovel and your appreciation for Robert Luongo, there's no telling how well you'll fare in the Great White North.
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