Canada Day
Forty years ago if you
asked nine people out
of ten in Ireland what
was Canada's national
day they would cheerfully
hazard a guess at anywhere
from April 1 to November
31. The tenth, being
from Kerry, would reply
"Canada, is it?"
Time has moved on. The
answers have not.
This month, on July 1,
Canada celebrated its
national holiday. From
coast to coast to coast,
Canadians expressed
joy and pride in their
country, "the True
North strong and free".
For most it is their
native land, for large
and growing numbers
it is their adopted
land. For all it is
a wonderland, a new
found land, a land of
surprises, and the best
kept secret in the western
world.
This web site, www.vindicator.ca,
seeks to strengthen
links between Canada
and Ireland, of which
there are many, stretching
back over four hundred
years-more if you credit
Brendan the Navigator,
who set sail in a cowhide
boat from Kerry, as
the first western European
to set foot on what
eventually evolved into
present day Canada.
Let the latecomers, the
Vikings, the Italians,
the Spanish, the Portuguese,
the English and the
French, put that in
their pipes and smoke
it.
Unlike them, the Irish,
like all good mannered
visitors, did not overstay
their sojourn, and left
Canada to its native
inhabitants, those who
considered themselves
merely custodians of
the land, not owners
and conquerors.
In a way, Canada sank
from sight, and despite
all the links forged
over the centuries remains
out of sight from all
but the fortunate few
Irish men and women
who had the wisdom to
choose it as their preferred
new home.
Over forty years ago
Canada was my choice.
And I was doubly fortunate.
Canada also chose me.
There was a need for
my services and I was
invited to fill that
need.
The sadness of leaving
was soon tempered by
the new life and friends
I made in Canada.
At the time I wasn't
sure if Diefenbaker
was the Prime Minister
of Canada or South Africa.
Since then the only
Canadian Prime Ministers
to register on the Irish
radar screen have been
the colourful and exciting
Pierre Elliot Trudeau,
and briefly, Brian Mulroney.
But they do not compare
in recognition with
the beloved John F.
Kennedy and the peace
seeking Bill Clinton,
two Presidents who have
kept Irish eyes focused
on the United States
of America.
As a result, July 4,
American Independence
Day, is a date well
known in Ireland. July
1 is only the day after
June 30.
The balance is sadly
out of whack.
Canada has so much to
offer, so much promise,
so much freedom, so
much opportunity, that
it is sad it remains
so much overlooked,
indeed unknown,
to present generations
in European countries,
not least in Ireland.
Let those already here
be visionaries for friends
and relatives with only
New York, Chicago or
Boston within their
compass. Let them speak
for Canada. It is a
story worth telling.
July 1, Canada Day; July
4, U.S. Independence
Day; and March 17, all
great national holidays.
We are a fortunate,
chosen people.
Canada's National
Anthem
O Canada!
Our home and native
land!
True patriot love
in all thy sons
command.
With glowing hearts
we see thee rise,
The True North strong
and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand
on guard for thee.
God keep our land
glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand
on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand
on guard for thee.
Readers may wish to consult
Canada's
National Anthem for
more information on
the anthem, including
its history and the
music.
March 17?
"Yerra go on outta
dat!"
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