– A wave of excitement and community spirit swept through the Schoolyard Theatre on August 19th as local volunteers, businesses, and community leaders from across the Ballyhoura Region gathered in preparation for the upcoming Ireland Canada Homecoming.
Organised by Ballyhoura Development CLG, the event will welcome over 150 international guests from Canada and the United States from September 15th to 21st, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Emigration.
The Homecoming honours the journey of over 2,500 Irish men, women, and children who emigrated to Upper Canada in 1825. The week-long programme will reconnect descendants with the communities their ancestors once called home, through a rich itinerary of tours, performances, and commemorative events.
Amanda Slattery, Development Manager at Ballyhoura Development, expressed her gratitude to all involved:
“The local voluntary effort going into presenting this programme is hugely impressive. We thank all the local communities, volunteers, and businesses for giving their time and support to reignite this almost forgotten piece of our local history. One that has been strengthened by the ongoing support of our Canadian friends in Nine Ships 1825 Inc., linking 200 years of shared heritage across the Atlantic. We look forward to presenting our communities, our people, and our place to our guests this September.”
Programme Highlights:
- Welcome Reception & Gala Lunch at Deebert House Hotel, Kilmallock
- Tour of Lough Gur with local historian and tour guide Brian Collopy
- Community Tours across the Golden Vale (Charleville, Liscarroll, Churchtown, Doneraile, Newtownshandrum, Milford, Colmanswell), Galtee Districts (Mitchelstown, Ballyporeen, Kilbehenny, Kildorrery, Kilfinane), and Blackwater Valley (Kilworth, Fermoy, Rathcormac, Ballyhooly, Castletownroche, Mallow)
- Heritage Tour to the Port of Cobh and the Cobh Heritage Centre – the departure point of the 11 ships that carried the settlers to Canada in 1823 and 1825
- Exploration of Kerry Connections in Dingle and Listowel
Guests will be based in Mitchelstown, Kilmallock, Doneraile, Charleville and the surrounding areas, with up to 20 local accommodation providers hosting international visitors.
Evening events will be open to the public, offering locals a unique opportunity to engage with this historic occasion.
Key Public Events:
- September 15–21: The Robinson Experiment – A new theatrical production by Callback theatre, nightly at 8pm, Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville
- September 19: Peter Robinson Settler Commemoration Concert – Featuring Ceoltás Mhúscraí at Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre, Mitchelstown, 8pm
- September 20: Peter Robinson Emigration Conference – Opened by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and His Excellency Dennis King, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, with guest speakers from Ireland, Canada, and the US. Venue: Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre, Mitchelstown
- September 21: Closing Ceremony at Griston Bog and Woodland, Ballylanders, in collaboration with Ballyhoura Heritage & Environment and the Ballylanders community
For full programme details and to reserve your place, visit: www.ballyhouradevelopment.com
Tickets are available on Eventbrite: Eventbrite
The Ireland–Canada Homecoming 2025 is generously supported by the Boss Murphy Foundation (through Community Foundation Ireland), Cork County Council (Tourism Support and Cork County Council Commemoration Fund), Limerick City and County Council, Meet in Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, and LEADER 2023–2027 (supporting The Robinson Experiment by Callback Theatre and associated media). Their combined contributions have made this commemorative programme possible, enabling cultural programming, community engagement, venue enhancement, and international outreach.
