An Talamh Fuar
Ceanada
Our home on Native land
As we celebrate our own unbreakable bonds with our heritage, we deeply recognize that in North America we are settlers on Indigenous land, who have benefited from the dispossession of this land’s original inhabitants.
There is a rich tapestry of diverse and beautiful Indigenous cultures celebrated across Turtle Island since time immemorial, with over 60 Indigenous language dialects in Canada alone.
Assimilationist government policies and the continued marginalization of Indigenous peoples in settler society have imposed conditions where every Indigenous language in Canada, apart from Inuktitut, is critically endangered and facing extinction.
As Gaels, and as those who we recognize that we cannot fully celebrate our own culture and language in North America without reflecting on the status of Indigenous people and by supporting language revival and Indigenous rights to health, safety and self-determination.
The Gaeltacht property in Tamworth, Ontario, is part of the traditional territories of the Anishinabewaki (ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ), Wendake-Nionwentsïo, and Mississauga peoples. The land was part of the Upper Canada Land Surrenders, under the Crawford Purchase of 1784. As a purchase, no treaty respecting these lands was signed.
“We share with the native people of this country a love for all that is our inheritance, and recognize that our future grows naturally from that inheritance ... Our native language is the greatest philosophical, cultural and practical achievement of our ancestors, and binds us together in an identity that spans continents and ages.”
The Irish Language in Canada
Céad Míle Fáilte - Welcome to our virtual history exhibition, where we delve into the enduring legacy of the Irish language in Canada. From its humble beginnings to its evolution over time, we aim to illuminate the journey of this linguistic heritage and its impact on Canada's multicultural tapestry. Through a collection of compositions, physical artifacts, and life narratives from Irish speakers, we invite you to explore the rich history of a language that has never disappeared but has continued to shape Canadian identity. Join us on a journey of discovery as we celebrate the resilience and cultural significance of the Irish language in Canada.
Animals of Canada
Irish speakers who came to Canada had their traditional connections to their native land, connections defined over thousands of years of habitation, severed. Transplanted to foreign shores, the Irish forged new bonds with the Canadian environment around them. This is the fascinating folklore surrounding the ten most significant animals found in Canada.
Click to learn about our most iconic animals
More Animals
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Bluebird (Eastern) - Gorméan
Bluejay - Scréachóg ghorm (blue screecher), An tÉan Gorm
Cardinal - Éan Cairdinéalach (cardinal bird), An tÉan Dearg (the bright red bird)
Chickadee (Black-capped) - Meantán
Crane - Corr
Crow - Préachán, Badhbh
Dove (Mourning) - Colm Bróin (dove of sorrow), Colm Caointe (lamenting bird)
Finch (House) - Glasán (small grey one)
Goldfinch (American) - Lasair Choille (flame of the woods), Buíán óir (yellow-gold one), Coinnleoir Muire (Holy Mary’s Candle-bearer)
Goose (Canada) - Gé Ceanadach (Canadian goose), Fiaghé (wild goose)
Goose (Grey) - Gé Glas (grey goose)
Hummingbird (Ruby-throated, rufous) - Dordéan (droning bird)
Mallard - Mallard
Martin - Gabhlán
Merganser - Tumaire (diver), Lacha Crainn (tree duck)
Merlin - Meirliún
Nuthatch - Cnóshnag (nut gripper)
Oriole (Baltimore) - Óiréal Bhaile an Tí Mhóir (Oriole of Baltimore)
Osprey - Iascaire Coirneach, An tÉan Fionn
Owl - Ulchabhán, Cailleach Oíche (old hag of the night)
Owl (Barn) - Scréachóg Reilige (screecher of the graveyard)
Owl (Snowy) - Ulchabhán Sneachta (owl of the snow)
Peregrine - Seabhac Seilge (foreign hawk), Fabhcún Gorm (blue falcon)
Petrel - Guairdeall, Peadairín na Stoirme (Little Peter of the Storm), Éan an Anró (bird of adverse weather)
Pigeon - Colm Carraige (rock dove), Colúr
Plover - Feadóg (whistler), Pilibín (little Phillip)
Ptarmigan - Tarmachan (croaker), Éan an tSneachta (bird of the snow)
Raven - Fiach, Bran
Robin (American) - Spideog, Broinndeargán (red-breast)
Sparrow (House, Song) - Gealbhan Binne / Sciobóil / Tí (bright on of the roof / barn / house)
Starling - Druid
Waxwing - Sciathán Céarach (wing of wax), Síodeiteach (silken wing)
Woodpecker (Downy, Hairy, Pileated, Red-bellied) - Cnagaire (knocker), Snag Darach (grasper of oak)
Wren (House) - Dreoilín
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Arctic Char - Ruabhreac (ruddy speckled one)
Bass - Bas, Doingean
Catfish - Cat Mara (cat of the sea)
Cod - Trosc
Haddock - Cadóg
Halibut - Haileabó
Pike - Liús
Salmon - Bradán, Eo
Sturgeon - Bradán Fearna
Trout - Breac (speckled one)
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Bobcat - Bobchat
Caribou - Réinfhia, Carabú
Chipmunk - Iora talún (ground squirrel)
Cougar - Cúgar, Leon Sléibhe
Coyote - Cadhóit
Deer - Fia
Elk - Eilc, Fia mór
Fisher - Polchat, Toghán, Cat coille (forest cat)
Fox (Arctic) - Sionnach an tsneachta (fox of the snow)
Gopher - Gófar póca
Groundhog - Úitseach (Woodchuck)
Lemming - Vól (Vole)
Lynx - Lincse, Onchú (Warrior dog)
Marmot - Marmat, Luch shléibhe (Mountain rodent)
Musk Ox - Muscdhamh
Opossum - Apasam
Otter - Madra uisce, dobharchú
Pine Marten - Cat crainn (tree cat)
Porcupine - Torcán craobhach (forest boar), Gráinneog Mhór (great hedgehog)
Prairie Dog - Marmat Machaire, Luch mhachaire (rodent of the plains)
Racoon Racún - Mathúin Níte (washing bear)
Sea-Lion - Rón Mór (great seal)
Skunk - Scunc, Bréantadán (stinker)
Squirrel (Black / Grey / Red) - Iora Dubh / Glas / Rua
Walrus - Rón Mór (great seal), Rosualt (from Norse horse-whale)
Wolverine - Glutan (from English glutton)
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Aphid - Aifid
Blackfly - Cuil Dhubh
Centipede - Céadchosach
Frog (Leopard) - Frog breac
Horsefly - Beach Each (Horse Bee), Doctúir
Mayfly - Cuil Bhealtaine
Millipede - Mílechosach
Mosquito - Muiscít
Rattlesnake - Nathair Shligreach
Turtle (Painted) Turtar Daite
Turtle (Snapping) - Turtar Sclamhach