According to the 2006 census by Stats Canada, the Irish are the 4th largest ethnic group with 4,354,155 Canadians with full or partial Irish descent, which is 14% of the population.
It is estimated that about 80% of Newfoundlanders have Irish ancestry on at least one side of their family tree.
Some famous Irish-Canadians include..
Paul Kane - painter
Maureen Forrester - an operatic contralto
Thomas D'Arcy McGee - "Canada's most eloquent Father of Confederation"
Robert Samuel Mc Laughlin - founded the Mc Laughlin Carriage Company
John McDermott - best known for his rendering of the song "Danny Boy", he was born in Scotland but is of Irish decent as well
The 188th Montreal St. Patrick's Day Parade is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, 2012 - this is the oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Canada.
Montreal's Griffintown is often described as the Irish gateway to North America. Up to half a million Irish immigrants came through Griffintown from early to mid 19th century in the midst of the industrial revolution and Ireland's devastating famine.
Approximately 5,400 establishments serving green beer in celebration of "St. Paddy's Day". If you're making it at home I've read some beer works better with blue food colouring, mixing with the yellow of the beer to get a nice green colour. Make sure you toast your drinks with the Irish saying "Sláinte!" which means health, the equivalent of saying "Cheers!".
How are you celebrating St. Patrick's Day this year?
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