Irish Famine in Montreal Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
The Irish Famine in Montreal Walking Tour revisits one of the darkest chapters in the city’s history, also known as Black ’47. Starting in June, 1847, Montreal was overwhelmed by wave after wave of Irish refugees fleeing brutal oppression at home, including a massive famine triggered by a potato blight and colonial British landowners, many of whom forced tenants off their lands.
The walking tour provides in-depth history about the Irish Famine's impact on Montreal in 1847. Guests will visit key sites associated with this tragedy, including the Old Port and Lachine Canal, the Grey Nuns Motherhouse, the two locations of Montreal’s fever sheds and mass burial grounds, and the infamous Black Rock monument.
The Irish Famine in Montreal Walking Tour is sure to please those researching family roots, history buffs, and tourists and locals interested in this dark episode in the city’s history.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Guide
What To Expect
Old Port of Montreal
Visit the Old Port of Montreal and how it relates to the Irish Famine refugees.
Lieu Historique National du Canal-de-Lachine
One of Montreal's mass graves is located near the Lachine Canal. Your guide will show you it's exact location.
Options
Irish Famine in Montreal Walking Tour
Reviews
23 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The Black Stone Tour
286audreyo,
Jun 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent guided tour that explains a much lesser known story of Montreal, visiting key sites, including the Black Stone. Very informative, very engaging.
It was a great experience, and I encourage others to do this tour!
irkarb,
May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was very informative. Donovan passionately discussed Irish history, teaching us the importance of remembering our past and the contributions of Montreal's Irish community.
A unique tour of the importance of Irish emigration to 19th century Montreal
gaudets,
May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very informative and lively visit along the canal in Griffintown and Bridge-Bonaventure on the arrival of the Irish in 1847 in Montreal, several thousand of whom were decimated by typhus or ship fever. Unpublished fact about the existence of an initial Irish burial site on the site of the former Wellington Basin south of Peel Basin.
Incredible experience, definitely a must if your a history buff like me.
F804WIgregoryl,
Mar 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I took a trip back in time yesterday and walked in the footsteps of my grandparents. I'm so honored & privilege to have done this. I got to hear stories my grandmother talked about that I never thought I'd hear again. I'm standing in the hub of what use to be Canada's oldest Irish shanty towns "Griffintown" the town is completely demolished now but behind me would of been Ste Anns Church. Hats off Donovan King for guiding this tour and keeping Irish history & spirit alive. I encourage everyone with Irish roots in this city to do this tour and learn more about the hardships & sacrifice our ancestors had to go through, also the resilience and courage we had 💪☘️💯 #IRISHSTRONG #irishfamine #montreal #griffintown
Sad, exciting, entertaining and a fantastic way to spend 2 hours!
victorbA1616ZW,
Mar 19, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was not my first Haunted Montreal Tour. They keep getting better! Donovan provides researched facts in an engaging, entertaining and thought provoking way. Any one of Haunted Montreal tours is a great way to share Montreal with visitors and Montrealers alike!
Wonderful Walk!
Seaside679976,
Mar 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my first walking tour experience with Haunted Montreal Walks and definitely won’t be my last. Listening and learning about the events that took place before our time from someone as knowledgeable and passionate as Donovan was a real treat! The piece de resistance was the ability to see St Ann’s Church back in it's original location before it was demolished. This was created using AR (Augmented Reality)
IRISH FAMINE TOUR
Discover41748138709,
Mar 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was amazing as it took us from old Montreal walking by the Lachine canal right up to the ruins of the St Ann's church in Griffintown to the Irish memorial with very interesting historical facts As always Donovan king make this tour very interesting with is incredible knowledge of Montreal history. I highly recommend this tour Sylvain Trudel
Irish Famine Tour - must see
shelleyd942,
Mar 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing story of choices and determination and loss. A story that is not well documented, but needs to be kept for now in this oral tradition until permanent plaques and parks can be erected to tell the story of 6000 Irish immigrants that died and the many more lived and that contributed to a Canadian history that has largely been overlooked.
A must do in Montreal!
mirreybirrey,
Jul 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely fantastic tour! Donovan was such an incredible guide and speaker. He was really knowledgeable and informative, yet still kept the tour fun and entertaining. My husband and I had a great time and would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who's interested in learning about the Irish community in Montreal. Thanks so much for everything, Donovan! Miriam and Nick :)
Fascinating way to learn about Irish famine history in Montreal
susiew662,
May 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great way to spend an afternoon learning about the history of the Irish famine in our fair city. Donovan is a very engaging guide, a wonderful storyteller who painted a picture of how thousands of desperate Irish refugees came to this place and what they had to put with once landed. Hard to believe that anybody survived the hardships they faced! So many of us have family history rooted in this migration, yet there is little to no official acknowledgement that the famine story is part of Quebec history. Thanks Donovan, for setting the record straight.
From CA$27.00
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