![\"Irish](\"https:\/\/optative.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Irish-Walk-4-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFor over 150 years, the Ancient Order of Hibernians<\/a> (AOH) has been leading this pilgrimage\u00a0to the Irish Stone at the foot of the Victoria Bridge, the site of Montreal\u2019s Irish Famine Cemetery where approximately 6,000 typhus victims were buried in mass graves in 1847.<\/p>\n Traditionally held on the last Sunday in May, the 2016 the \u201cWalk to the Stone\u201d will take place on May 29\u00a0at around noon, starting at St. Gabriel\u2019s Church in Point Saint Charles (2157 Centre Street) following a special service. Everyone is welcome to attend and catering is being provided by Paul Quinn of the Irish Embassy Pub.<\/p>\n To add context to the annual pilgrimage, the Montreal Irish Walking Tour will be conducted one day before the traditional \u201cWalk to the Stone\u201d. Created by professional actor and historian Donovan King, the Montreal Irish Walking Tour<\/a> sold out during the 2016 Blue Metropolis Festival, where it was done on behalf of the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation and Montreal Bloomsday Festival.<\/p>\n The original tour was very popular and was even covered by the Irish Times<\/a>. According to King, \u201cThere have been many requests to do it again and even to make it a permanent feature on Montreal\u2019s tourist circuit. As such, we decided to do it again, especially for those who plan to participate in the Walk to the Stone on the following day.\u201d<\/p>\n King is also a Director with the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation<\/a>, an organization dedicated to creating a cultural memorial park on the site of the Famine Cemetery, presently located in an unsightly industrial zone.<\/p>\n The walking tour provides a history lesson into the Irish experience in Montreal over the centuries, and features famous Irish Montrealers such as Tec Aubry, Joe Beef, Bernard Devlin, Mary Gallagher, Brian Mulroney and current Mayor, Denis Coderre. It also focuses specifically on the plight of the Famine refugees who arrived in 1847, destitute and typhus-stricken, and how the city reacted to them.<\/p>\n Exploring what is perhaps the darkest chapter in Montreal\u2019s history, the walking tour delves into some very disturbing facts about the impact of the Irish Famine in Montreal, but also highlights the compassion of the many Montrealers who put themselves at great risk to care for the sick and dying refugees. Mayor John Easton Mills might be the best example.<\/p>\n Mayor Mills personally cared for the refugees in the fever sheds, caught typhus and perished in the course of his duties.<\/p>\n Guests will walk in the footsteps of the Irish Famine refugees of 1847 and learn about their plight, resilience and subsequent remarkable accomplishments.\u00a0All proceeds from the Montreal Irish Walking Tour go directly to the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation.<\/p>\n WHAT<\/strong>: Montreal Irish Walking Tour<\/p>\n WHEN<\/strong>: Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.<\/p>\n WHERE<\/strong>: Meet in front of Pointe-\u00e0-Calli\u00e8re Museum (350 Place Royale, corner of de la Commune)<\/p>\n COST<\/strong>: $15 (email optatif@gmail.com<\/a> to make a reservation)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n