By Jill Cook

History is rarely straightforward. It is, by its nature, a retelling. Stories have a point of view. This is why history is endlessly fascinating and endlessly interpretative.

This was clearly evidenced by the recent visit of the Irish ambassador to Canada, Declan Kelly, and the dedicated group from the Canada Ireland Monument Committee that brought him here.

Why were they at Mackin House Museum in Coquitlam having an Irish tea? Is Mackin House not squarely at the centre of the predominantly francophone community of Maillardville? What is the nature of the warm relations between the Irish and the French in Canada and Maillardville?

The story is a sad and poignant one. When the Irish first came to Canada during the forced exodus (not because of a famine) of 1845 to 1852, many died as a result of harsh crossing conditions. There is a cross at Grosse Isle that stands as a testament to these deaths.

Many children were orphaned. Most of these children were adopted by French-Canadian families. These children were nourished both physically and emotionally, and were encouraged to retain their Irish names. The compassion and generosity of the French-Canadians allowed these children to thrive in the new world.

Fast forward to Mackin House Museum on Oct. 5, 2009. The Ireland Monument Committee is ensuring that we remember the thousands of Irish who died by planning a monument crafted with a piece from the original cross at Grosse Isle.

The Irish ambassador was here to transfer this small piece of stone to the Most Rev. J. Michael Miller, archbishop of Vancouver.

The monument committee would like to build the monument here in the heart of Coquitlam and in the heart of the only French-speaking community west of the Rockies. After all, H.J. Mackin, the first resident of Mackin House, was Irish and many of the French-Canadians who came to work at the mill in the early 1900s had an ancestry that was a happy mix of Irish and French.

The Irish tea on Oct. 5 was the informal ending to the ceremonial part of the day. Guests enjoyed traditional Irish baking in the inviting and warm environment of Mackin House, a 1909 Edwardian house that is now a museum. It was a chance to chat and share stories.

This is a story rich in the telling. It speaks of resilience, generosity and, above all, tenacity. Most remarkably, it speaks of the passion and commitment of the Ireland Monument Committee, whose members believe that, after 160 years, it is more important than ever to remember and honour those who died as a result of incredible hardship and inhumanity. The complete story, however, is a tribute to the best in human nature. That is the point of view that informs the facts.

Your History is a column in which, once a month, representatives of the Tri-Cities’ three heritage groups writes about local history. Jill Cook is executive director of the Coquitlam Heritage Society.