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** Please check
back often for our updated 2013 schedule and workshops, below you will see the 2012 schedule and workshops and we look forward
to a fantastic weekend as we gather together to celebrate 30 Years of Irish Heritage! **
Workshops
/ Information Sessions / Activities
Immerse yourself in Irish culture by signing up for a workshop or cultural activity
while you attend the festival. Learn to play the Irish whistle, do research into your family's history, or enter a contest
to display your Irish heritage.
Noted scholars, authors, genealogists and musicians make our workshops an unforgettable
part of the week's festivities.
Vendor Booths
Outstanding merchandise will be found in the booths in the Lord Beaverbrook Arena
throughout the weekend. Displays include; Celtic crafts and jewelry, Atlantic Pewter - jewelry with their Celtic designs and
glass with pewter designs, Irish Family crested garments, Irish Family pins; Imported cheeses; Airbrush Tattoo artists;
Irish paintings; Celtic gold & silver jewelry, home sewing crafts, quilts, pillows, bibs, placemats and more!
Miramichi Irish Festival St. Thomas University Alumni Gathering
STU Alumni reception will be Saturday, July 21, from 2-4 PM, at the St. Michaels Basilica Church basement.Contact:
Wanda Bearresto Please r.s.v.p. at alumni@stu.ca or 506-452-0521
Cultural Events
Bogside Artists Murals
On Display at James M Hill July 20th & 21st, 2012
These are copies of the murals found
in the Bogside in the area of Derry, Northern Ireland, known as Free Derry Corner. These murals depict key events
of 'the Troubles' in the city since 1968. The artists have lived in the Bogside most of their lives and have experienced
the worst of the conflict. This exhibition of their work is a chronicle of those events that they consider to have been the
most significant during the last thirty years. In telling this story they have served a pressing need for their community,
and Derry people in general, to acknowledge with dignity if not pride the price paid by those who became victims of the struggle
for democratic rights. Their work therefore is essentially a homage. An interpreter will be available to walk you through
the display.
Theatrical Performances
Once Upon a Leprechaun!
James
M. Hill Theatre
Saturday, July 21
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$5.00
Three hilarious and
whimsical Irish folk and fairy tales collide when a trio of wild and crazy leprechauns try to help the tonguetied shepherd
Fin O’ Grady. With the hand of his true love at stake, the fair maiden Peggy Flaherty, Fin sets off on an adventure
to prove to Peggy’s family that he can tell a true Irish tale! Come and see what antics unfold on this family friendly
journey through the countryside of the Emerald Isle! Directed by Saint Thomas University Student, Samuel Crowell.
The Spirit of the Irish
James M. Hill Theatre
Friday, July 20
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
$5.00
This engaging theatrical production celebrates the indomitable spirit of the Irish
in song, dance and drama. Performed by a group of enthusiastic youngsters from the Miramichi, this production is the culmination
of a summer theatre program led by the Copelands of Kidplayhouse Productions. It features original as well as traditional
music. We hope to see you there!
Find Your Roots!
Provincial Archives of New Brunswick
The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick will continue its annual tradition, inaugurated by Marian Beyea,
the Provincial Archivist, and staff members, Denis Noel and Allen Doiron, in assisting the attendees who wish to research
their Irish roots and New Brunswick heritage. The Archives will have census records, land grants information, historical photos
and other research documents, which will be of interest to both the novice and experienced researcher.
A special
digital film archive will be launched as part of the Provincial Archives exhibit. The North West Digital Film Archive created
by Derry City Council’s Heritage & Museum Service, the Donegal Regional Cultural Center, Donegal County Museum &
Archives and the Nerve Center will be available.
The EU Program funded the project for Peace and Reconciliation. It is
a unique digital collection of materials from Counties Derry and Donegal, consisting of almost 100 hours of searchable material.
An on-line presentation by The Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick of everything Irish in New Brunswick,
“The Virtual Trail of New Brunswick", will also be available for viewing.
For more information on their services, visit the website at: http://archives.gnb.ca/archives/default.aspx
Opening Ceremony
Guest Speaker John
Raymond Bassett will be our keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies at the Lord Beaverbrook Arena.
Friday,
July 20, 2012 7:00 PM
Canada’s Irish Festival is proud to welcome this year’s
guest speaker, Ray Bassett, the Irish Ambassador to Canada.
Ray Basset holds a Ph.D in biochemistry from Trinity College
Dublin, and he worked as a clinical biochemist at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, in the Seventies. He became the Irish Ambassador
to Canada in 2010.
Bassett
is married and he and his wife Patricia Howe have five children. He is a big fan of Gaelic football,
and enjoys walking and natural history.
Information Sessions / ActivitiesRed Hair and Leprechaun Competition
The Red Hair and Leprechaun Competition will be held before the walking parade at 9:00am in the James M Hill Me-morial
theatre. Entry forms are available at the Irish Festival Office (1745 Water Street). Divisions: Ages 5 & under –
Ages 6-12 – Ages 12 & up. Running of the Green Race
Sunday July 22nd, 2012
Lord Beaverbrook Arena - 5 km Run
The race will start at 11:00 AM The Sport of Geocaching
Come and have fun learning how to use a handheld GPS unit to find Irish treasures that have been hidden near James
M. Hill Memorial High School. No experience is necessary! In addition to learning the basics about how to use GPS units, you
will also learn how register at geocaching.com so that you can leave the Irish Festival with the skills you need to carry
on with the sport of Geocaching. Miramichi Branch of the New Brunswick Genealogical Society
The Miramichi Branch of the New Brunswick Genealogical Society will be on hand to help you research your
family tree. Focusing on Northumberland County, we use the Census for the years 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901, transcriptions
of every cemetery in No. Co. (over 130), thousands of obituaries (16,000), vital stats from local newspapers, some church
records, complete family histories and much, much more. We also have several of our publications available for sale. Be sure
to visit us at while attending the festival.
Shepherd of the Woods
Father Leon Creamer is launching
his biography of Father Benedict Murdoch, "Shepherd of the Woods", at James M. Hill Memorial High School on July
20-21, 2012 from 2:00PM to 3:00PM. Come join Father Creamer and listen to him describe the life of Father Benedict Murdoch.
Irish Festival Parade
March with your clan in the Irish Festival parade. No registration is required - get together with
your family, hold your crest up high and follow the shamrocks. The Parade will begin at 10:00 am in the James M. Hill parking
lot on Saturday July 21st, 2012. The Gathering The Gathering
Ireland 2013 is about the people of Ireland throwing open our arms and inviting anyone with a connection to Ireland to visit.
For more information you can visit www.thegatheringireland.com
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