Ireland Park, Toronto (3M) - 12 July 2018

As We Left Ireland

I regard Ireland Park, Toronto as one of the hidden gems of a great city. It has, according to the National Post, been difficult to access for much of the time since its opening in 2007. This was due to various projects including the construction of the tunnel to Billy Bishop (Toronto City) Airport and the partial demolition of the Canada Malting Silos.

The park, designed by Jonathan Kearns is a memorial to Irish immigrants and features a 14-column wall of Kilkenny limestone and five bronze statues by Rowan Gillespie. It stands on Eireann Quay in the shadow of the wonderful but crumbling Canada Malting Silos. The cylindrical tower to the right of the main monument represents one of the adjacent silos. The monument itself represents the Cliffs of Moher, the last sight seen by the emigrants as they left Ireland.

In this intentionally stark b&w image, I have tried to evoke the start of a stormy voyage made in hope and desperation, a voyage some did not survive.

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