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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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