The legacy of the Ireland-Canada Homecoming continues to grow across Ballyhoura Country and the Peterborough Ontario region as new heritage discoveries, research collaborations and cultural exchanges deepen the connections forged through the bicentenary of the Peter Robinson Emigration.

A major new chapter in this partnership will begin on August 20^th 2026, and in September 2026 when Historic Graves Ireland launches community-led heritage research projects across the Peterborough Ontario region, bringing the successful Irish model of documenting local history, graveyards and community stories to the very communities founded by Peter Robinson Settlers 200 years ago.

The initiative represents one of the most significant outcomes of the Ireland-Canada Homecoming programme, creating new opportunities for shared research, heritage tourism and community engagement between Ballyhoura Country and Peterborough while strengthening connections between descendants of the original emigrants and their ancestral homeland.

Ahead of this landmark September programme, Ballyhoura Development, in partnership with Saint George's Arts and Heritage Centre, Mitchelstown, will host "Irish Names in Canadian Stone: A Transatlantic Heritage" on Thursday, August 20th, as part of National Heritage Week 2026.

During his ten-day visit to Ballyhoura Country, Patrick and John Tierney will undertake research within historic graveyards connected to the ancestry of emigrants who departed the region in 1825, and in the waves of chain migration which followed them to Peterborough County all the way through the Great Famine. Their findings will contribute directly to the new heritage collaborations taking place in Ontario later this year.

Today, descendants of the original settlers continue to travel to the Ballyhoura Region to reconnect with ancestral homes, landscapes and family histories. The September launch of Historic Graves projects in the Peterborough Region, Ontario will build upon this growing momentum, enabling communities on both sides of the Atlantic to document, share and celebrate their common heritage.

Amanda Slattery, Development Manager with Ballyhoura Development, said:

"Two hundred years after the Peter Robinson Emigration, we continue to uncover new stories and connections. What is particularly exciting is that these relationships are now evolving into active collaborations. Ballyhoura Development are thrilled to welcome historian Patrick Leahy from Douro, Ontario - a community largely founded by families from the Kingston Estate and heavily composed of their descendants. Through our partnerships across the Atlantic, we are learning from each other, sharing discoveries and creating meaningful opportunities for communities to engage with their shared heritage. The story of the Peter Robinson emigrants is far from complete. The work beginning in the Peterborough region in Ontario this September marks an important new chapter in that story."

Bonnie Clark, Warden of Peterborough County, Ontario, said:

"The relationship between Peterborough County, Ballyhoura Country and County Cork continues to demonstrate the value of community-led heritage initiatives in building meaningful international connections. What began with the commemoration of the Peter Robinson migration has evolved into a remarkable partnership rooted in shared history, research and cultural exchange. We are proud to support this grassroots innovation in heritage tourism, which not only strengthens our understanding of the past but also creates lasting opportunities for communities on both sides of the Atlantic to connect, learn and grow together."

Andrew Dineen, Amanda Slattery, Anne Morrison and Bill Power packing the commemorative plaque marking the 200th anniversary of the Petre Robinson settlers' emigration for shipment to Canada.

The strength of the partnership was further highlighted earlier this month when a commemorative plaque, unveiled by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin during the Ireland-Canada Homecoming celebrations, was shipped to partners at Nine Ships 1825 Inc. and Peterborough County. The plaque will now tour communities founded by the Peter Robinson Settlers across Ontario, serving as a lasting symbol of the enduring bond between Ireland and Canada.

Bill Power, Chairperson of Saint George's Arts and Heritage Centre, said:
"The wood used to create these plaques came from a yew tree that stood here during the early nineteenth century. Today, transformed into these commemorative pieces, it provides a tangible connection to the families who left this region in 1825 and a powerful reminder of the shared history we continue to celebrate, we are delighted to host the August 20^th events as part of our National Heritage week programme” 

Mary Smith, Vice Chairperson of Nine Ships 1825 Inc., said:

"It was an honour to witness the unveiling of these beautiful plaques, crafted from the wood of a yew tree that stood on the grounds of Saint George's Arts and Heritage Centre during the time of the Peter Robinson migration. We look forward to welcoming the plaque to Canada and displaying it proudly as a symbol of the enduring connections between our communities."

The August 20th Heritage Week event will feature storytelling, video presentations, Canadian gravestone displays and archaeological insights exploring how family histories and community identities have been preserved in paper, stone, wood and memory across generations. Following the presentation, attendees will enjoy music from the Kilworth Guitar & Music Group before joining a guided exploration of Brigown Cemetery.

Local families with an interest in genealogy, local history and Irish diaspora heritage are encouraged to attend and discover how ongoing research in Ballyhoura Country and Ontario continues to uncover remarkable stories linking communities across the Atlantic.

Patrick Leahy ahead of his Irish visit states:

"It's a tremendous honour to bring this research back to Ballyhoura Country, where so many of the families I have spent years studying first called home. As a descendant of Peter Robinson Settlers myself, I feel a strong connection to both Ireland and Ontario. Sharing these stories with local audiences helps bridge the past and present, while creating new opportunities for people in both countries to better understand the experiences of those who made the journey in 1825. The connections forged through that migration remain remarkably strong, and it is exciting to see new partnerships and research ensuring that legacy continues for future generations."

Event Details:

• Irish Names in Canadian Stone: A Transatlantic Heritage

  • Thursday, August 20th

  • 6:15pm - 7:30pm

  • Saint George's Arts and Heritage Centre, Mitchelstown

Followed by:

• Gone Underground: A Heritage Preserved

  • 7:45pm - 8:30pm

  • Brigown Cemetery, Mitchelstown

Admission is free. Advance booking is required.

Find Out More & Register 

Research was funded by the Royal Irish Academy.