Port Macquarie’s rich Irish heritage was recognised today, through the unveiling of a new seat and plaque at the historic cemetery.
More than 600 Irish men, women and children were laid to rest at the site, mostly convicts.
“Many of those people would have come out from Ireland in the middle of the 19th century, in very difficult and challenging times and they led difficult lives, and they came here to have a new beginning and a new life,” Ireland’s Ambassador to Australia Noel White said.
The monument was installed by the newly-formed Port Macquarie Irish Association.
“We live in very uncertain times, in a very uncertain world sometimes and it’s very nice to be able to tap back in to our history, to our heritage, to the artifacts of our history and our heritage.”
(AUDIO IN PARTS)
