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WELCOME TO DOURO!

On behalf of our Douro 200th Anniversary Committee, and the broader Douro community, we thank you for coming out to take part in this weekend’s activities. We hope that regardless of whether you have lived here your whole life and have roots stretching back to 1825, or are just visiting for the day you will find something unique, interesting, and perhaps even inspiring in the diverse program of events on offer.

Whether your interests are in history, music, agriculture, our Irish connections, great food, or as my kids often tell me “just talking to people”, we are sure you will find this to be an event unlike any other.

This weekend’s events have been a process long in the making, and take inspiration from the celebrations held in 1925 and 1975, as well as the large scale community events which Douro has long been known for, such as the St. Joseph’s School Sleigh Ride and the Douro Doings. There are few communities where large numbers of volunteers can work together so well, and in Douro this strength of community did not happen by chance.

We can trace our strong community identity to 1825, and in some ways earlier. As many of you may know, about 50 Irish families settled in Douro Township in the fall of 1825 as part of the larger Peter Robinson Emigration. Several Irish families were granted land in the northern stretches of Otonabee township, and from the very beginning they too were very much part of the Douro Irish community.

What is unique about the Douro families of 1825 is that almost 80% of them came from within a 15km radius of the Parish of Brigown in the north-east of County Cork. As such, they brought with them a strongly shared identity of their own history, local culture, and way of life. These were people that knew each other, and knew how to work and live together. They valued community life, and have passed that on to us.

Nor did the story end there. In the decades that followed, friends, family, and neighbours from Cork, Tipperary, and Limerick made their way to Douro, to a community that they could feel at ease in and offered them greater chances than in an Ireland beset by famine, violence, and economic uncertainty. The period of the Irish Famine saw families from across Ireland, in counties such as Westmeath, Sligo, and Fermanagh come to Douro, where they still have descendants today.

Similar additions to our community have continued through the twentieth century and up until today, with several farming families leaving post-war Europe; setting down roots and making a strong contribution to our community. Today, families from numerous different backgrounds have found their home in the Douro community, adding a greater diversity of culture and experience.

We hope that this weekend’s events help display this legacy of agriculture, faith, music, family, and community. Even more so, we hope that this is an opportunity for younger generations to connect with their past, and find inspiration to move forward into the future.

Above all, thank you to everyone who has made this weekend happen. Through contributions of time, effort, financial support, or participation, you are what makes Douro a unique and special place to live, as it has been for two hundred years.

Patrick Leahy, Chair, Douro 200th Committee

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Nancy Towns

Bernard Leahy

Angela O’Grady

Mike Towns

Rosemary Towns

Greg Holland

Shelley Ryan

Mary O’Grady

Maureen Fitzgerald

Deanna Leahy

Patrick Leahy, Chair

Lou O’Hara, Vice-Chair

Michelle Towns, Secretary

Annette Dunford, Treasurer

This event could not take place without the extraordinary support of numerous people, businesses, and organizations. Your efforts, support, and encouragement have been vital to the success of this project.

St. Joseph’s Parish, Douro and Fr. Randy Foster

St. Joseph’s Knights of Columbus

St. Joseph’s Catholic Women’s League

St Joseph’s Elementary School and Principal Wayne Clarke

St. Joseph’s Cemetery Board

The Township of Douro-Dummer

Nine Ships 1825 Inc.

Leahy Farm and Market

Tim Sheehan

Paul Meade

The Musicians of Douro, who as always graciously offer their time and talents. All of our volunteers, with contributions great and small. John Tierney, Historic Graves Ireland

Ballyhoura Development CLG, Mitchelstown, Cork Friends of the Library and various Community Builders

Our generous sponsors and donors, without whom this weekend’s events would not be possible. These businesses and individuals can consistently be found stepping up to support their community, and we greatly appreciate their contribution.

On Saturday July 5th, we are asking you to park at the Douro arena, and will be running shuttle buses from there to the village from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM

FRIDAY, JULY 4TH - DOURO ARENA

7:00 PM Trivia Night - $10 Per Person - Live Music, Free Food, Prizes

SATURDAY, JULY 5TH - DOURO VILLAGE

8:30 AM - 7:00 PM Parking at Douro Arena with Shuttle Bus to the Village

9:30 AM Opening Ceremonies & Monument Unveiling

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Self-guided walking tour of Village - Story Boards on Site

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Guided Cemetery Tour

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Rail Splitting Demonstration, Cemetery Field

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Fencing Demonstration, Cemetery Field

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Quilting Demonstration, Church Lawn

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Guided Cemetery Tour

ST. JOSEPH’S SCHOOL

10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Children’s Games, Schoolyard

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM Talk on Geographic Settlement of Area, Library

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Petting Zoo

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Square Dancing & Step Dancing, School Gym

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Quilt Display, St. Joseph’s Church

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Displays & Activities, Douro Library

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Farm & Equipment Displays, South of Cemetery

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Family History Displays

FOOD AVAILABILITY

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Red Wagon Foods, Rectory Grounds

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Knights of Columbus BBQ

DOURO ARENA

7:30 PM Concert & Dance - $15 at the door Featuring Members of the Leahy Family & Friends

IRISH FAMILIES SETTLED IN DOURO IN THE FALL OF 1825

Names, ages, ship name, and location in Ireland as from embarkation certificates in the spring of 1825 at Cobh, Cork. Irish locations may sometimes reflect where application for emigration was submitted, as opposed to actual

Family Ages in 1825

John & Margaret Moloney John (50) & Margaret (40), Denis (14) Michael (13) John (8) James (7) Catherine (19) Mary (17)

Thomas Moloney Thomas (24)

Michael Condon Michael (24) & Mary (45, mother) Bridget (22) Margaret (20) Ellen (16) Johanna (12) John (9) Patrick (7)

John & Ellen Tobin John (Sr.) & Ellen (50), Thomas (30) Mary (28) Ellen (26) Johanna (24) Ellen (1)

John & Johanna (Lane) Tobin John Jr. (28) & Johanna (27), Mary (21, sister of Johanna?) Edmond (5) Maurice (3) Catherine (2)

John & Bridget Sheehan John (40) & Bridget (35), Patrick (18) Mary (17) Michael (8) John (6)

(22)

James & Mary Casey James (50) & Mary (46), Maurice (26, alias of Maurice Clancy) Judith (18) Mary (20) Kitty (14) James (12) Johanna (8) John (4)

(30),

(10)

(6)

(3)

(4)

(13)

(10) Bridget (6)

John & Widow Walsh (Mother) John (26) & Widow Walsh (50), Margaret (23) Mary (20)

Johanna (18) Edward (16)

John & Margaret Cranly John (30) & Margaret (25), John (2) Mary (1)

Daniel & Ellen (Walker) Sheehan

Daniel (44) & Ellen (36), Mary (20) Elizabeth (16) Denis (14) Judith (13) Patrick (10) Daniel (1)

Edmond & Bridget Allen Edmond (39) & Bridget (38), William (17) Mary (14) Edmond (7) Robert (5) Johanna (1) Bridget Johnson (11, granddaughter of John Fleming)

(19)

Timothy & Johanna Sweeney Timothy (34) & Johanna (30), Norah (13) Mary (11) Catherine (4)

Darby & Alice Sullivan, Michael (Son) Darby (52) & Alice (50), Michael (22) Timothy (28) Mary (26) Catherine (24) Kitty (20) John (18) Denis (16) Jeremiah (14) Johanna (12) Alice (10)

Michael Leahy Jr. (Alias of John Lonergan)

James & Ellen Cotter

(25, or John)

(50) & Johanna (42), Mary (21) Owen (17) Patrick (16) John (14) William (12) Johanna (10) Ellen (8)

(45) & Ellen (36), Maurice (21) Patrick (21) Mary (16)

(12)

& Mary (Burgess)

(10)

(7)

Michael (56) & Mary (Burgess, 50), Ellen Burgess (80), David (17) Denis (15) Ellen (14) Abigail (13) Judith (6)

(25)

(35, mother), John (22)

Sr. (40) (Alias names in this group)

(34),

(32) & Eliza (30),

(16)

(34) & Catherine (30), Edmund (11)

(5)

(20)

(9)

(34) & Honora (32) (family used alias Sweeney), John (16) Margaret (14) James (8) Catherine (6)

(3) Bridget (1)

Daniel & Catherine Maloney Daniel (41) & Catherine (36), Mary (17) John (14) Roderick (14) Sarah (12) James (7) Daniel (born 1825)

Henry & Susanna Couche

(41) & Susanna (32), Christopher (17) Susanna (19) Henry (15) Mary (12) Anne (9) Elizabeth (7) Jane (3) Thomas (1)

Robin & Mary Walsh Robin (38) & Mary (38), John (17) Thomas (15) Judith (14) Johanna (9) Robert (4) Michael (3)

Douro Fire Hall

VILLAGE OF DOURO

Current Building

Former Building

Indicates History Board on site

Rectory St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Ken Grady Auto Repair

COUNTY ROAD 8

Douro-Dummer Public Library

Joseph Catholic Elementary School

St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery

WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE OF DOURO

Former Buildings and Points of Interest

A. Sexton’s House

B. Horse Stables/Sheds

C. Rectory Barn

D. Tool Shed

E. St. Joseph’s Church (c. 1846)

F. Fitzpatrick’s Tavern Site, later Ayotte’s House

G. Blacksmith Shop & Auto Shop

H. Barber’s Shop & House

I. George Town’s House, former Post Office & Switchboard

J. Douro Township Office & Library

K. Casey’s House, former Tavern & Store Site

L. Township Shed/Garage

M. Stables/Sheds

N. Cemetery Grotto

O. Celtic Cross

P. Cemetery Vault

Q. Possible former Tavern Site

R. Stables/Sheds

S. St. Patrick’s Hall & First Church

T. 200th Commemoration Monument

U. Hanrahan’s House, former Tavern, Post Office & Store

V. P.G. Towns & Sons General Store

W. Fireproof Safe

X. Taverns & Mahoney’s Hotel

Y. Ice House

Z. Harmony Hall

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