Commemoration of the 160th Anniversary of the Fenian Invasion of Canada (1866)

On Saturday, May 30, the Black Rock Historical Society will welcome the Ancient Order of Hibernians for their annual commemoration of the Fenian Invasion of Canada.  On May 31, 1866, a Fenian Brotherhood contingent of over 800 Irish-American Civil War veterans embarked from the docks of the Pratt Ironworks and crossed the Niagara River on a mission to hold British North America hostage for the freedom of Ireland.  Not only did this historic event advance the subsequent confederation of Canada in 1867, but it also helped inspire the Easter Rebellion in Ireland fifty years later in 1916.

The public is welcome to join the Thomas W. Carroll AOH Division 1 (Erie County) as they assemble at the Fenian Invasion monument located at Erie County’s Tow Path Park at the foot of Hertel Avenue on Saturday, May 31 at 11am. The ceremony will be accompanied with music provided by the Irish trad band, Setanta.