Cobh to mark 200th anniversary of settler scheme that saw 2,000 leave for Canada

Known as the 'Peter Robinson Settler Emigration Scheme' it is estimated there are now more than 100,000 descendants of these first settlers living in Ontario

A cruise ship prepares to dock in Cobh. Some 11 ships carrying 2,000 passengers left Cobh for Ontario 200 years ago. Picture: David Creedon

A commemoration is to be held in Cobh to remember a little-known event that saw 2,000 people emigrate from North Cork to Canada.

A 200th anniversary commemoration event will focus on 11 ships which set sail from Cobh with more than 2,000 ‘peasants’, mainly from North Cork but some from South Limerick, who were chosen to settle in the Ontario wilderness.