Attention is once again focused on the sacred ground of the Irish here in the Maritimes.
Partridge Island, located at the entrance of Saint John Harbour, is a national historic site but one that can't be visited. However, new efforts are being made to try and change that.
Donna Blanchard says Partridge Island has a special place in the heart of New Brunswick's Irish community.
"People are interested," says Blanchard. "It's where their ancestors landed, their first foot on Canadian soil."
The island is the final resting place for 600 Irish who were quarantined and did not survive disease.
Many thousands of Canadian Irish families can trace their roots through Partridge Island.
"I've had so many people come to me and say, ‘how do I get over there?' It's an obvious question because it's so close and when I told them that they couldn't, they look at me as if to say, ‘good heavens. What are you holding back for?'" says Blanchard.
The longstanding problem remains in finding a way to get people on and off the island. There was a time when boat tours were available, but those no longer exist.
Studies say the island needs a publicly accessible connection via the breakwater.
"The best and most economical way is to refurbish the breakwater," says Kent MacIntyre of the Saint John Waterfront Development. "That's upwards of $2 million, to refurbish the island is close to $3 million, so it's a $5 million project."
MacIntyre says major corporations across Canada will be approached for donations to the project.
"Every time the issue comes up, like the undying Irish who came over and thought, ‘sure, I'll make it'. I keep thinking, ‘sure, we're going to make it'. This is going to be really significant and it's so close," says Blanchard.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
