President to unveil Famine memorial park

President Mary McAleese is to unveil a major Famine memorial park during an official visit to Canada this month.

On June 21 she will perform the opening of "Ireland Park" in Toronto which is dedicated to the memory of 38,000 Irish people who fled to the city from the Famine in 1847.

The project, which includes sculptures and a giant wall with inscribed names, is on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Irish Ambassador to Canada, Declan Kelly will also attend and The Celtic Tenors are due to perform. Live music events are also planned around the opening of the Park including a performance by the 140-member Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.

Mrs McAleese will later be guest of honour at a gala dinner held in the Royal Ontario Museum. The sculptures were created by Dublin sculptor Rowan Gillespie, who is also responsible for the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay in Dublin.

"Irish emigrants who arrived in 1847 went on to play a major role in the growth and success of Toronto," said a spokesman for the project.

"Ireland Park is a celebration of this achievement. From the horror of the Famine years in the 1840s to the vibrant community of today, the park bears witness to the determination of a people to overcome adversity.

Funds for the project were raised by many groups including the Ireland Fund of Canada. Toronto City Council granted permission for Ireland Park in July 2000.

Enterprise Ireland hopes the President's visit to Canada will help boost business opportunities for Irish firms. Mrs McAleese will attend a business networking event and meet members of the Irish community.

Enterprise Ireland opened a new office in Toronto in September 2006 and now offers services to firms expanding into the market.

A trade mission last October netted €35m in new business for Irish companies. One of the G8 members, Canada has a population of 32 million.

Mrs McAleese paid her first state visit to Canada in October 1998.