Tánaiste announces Irish Government Funding for Corleck Centre Development in Toronto

From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on 16 March 2024


Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, announced today in Toronto an additional Irish Government grant of $2 million for the Corleck Centre, a major new venue for arts, cultural and heritage programming developed by the Canada Ireland Foundation and located on Eireann Quay on the Toronto waterfront.

This new grant of $2 million, to be provided by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin will bring total Irish Government support for the project to date to approximately $3M, alongside substantial funding from the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto and a number of private donors.

Eireann Quay is also home to the Ireland Park memorial to Irish immigrants who arrived in Toronto during the Famine.

The funding is being provided as part of a suite of strategic investments in international cultural capital projects within the framework of the Global Ireland 2025 strategy, which a aims to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint, including in the cultural domain. This is one of a series of Global Ireland strategic actions in the fields of cultural promotion and cultural diplomacy, including the establishment of a global programme of specialist Cultural Attachés and special initiatives in priority territories.

Speaking in Toronto, the Tánaiste said: “I am delighted to announce this additional grant from the Irish Government. Our investment in the Corleck Building underscores the Irish Government’s commitment to sharing our culture around the world. It is a central part of delivering on the Global Ireland Strategy 2025. I thank my colleague, Minister Catherine Martin for providing the funding for this investment.

“The Corleck building will create a wonderful arts, culture and heritage centre in Toronto. It will be a space for the Irish to come together to share their heritage, connect to future generations and create new stories into the future, alongside the many cultures in the great city of Toronto. The Irish Government is proud to stand with the other funders - the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, as well as private donors - in making this exciting project a reality.”

Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, commented: “I am delighted to provide this major Irish Government grant to the Corleck Centre. This decision builds on the major capital investments we have made in recent years in the Irish Arts Centre in New York, the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris and the London Irish Centre Camden, as a key deliverable of the Global Ireland 2025 strategy. Each of these centres offer strategic platforms in priority locations worldwide for the promotion of Irish arts, artists and cultural exchange.

“Exciting opportunities lie ahead to deepen artistic and cultural engagement and collaboration with partners in Toronto and across Canada and I believe the Corleck Centre will be key to maximising this potential.”

James Maloney, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke—Lakeshore, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities said: “The past, present and future truly come together at the Corleck, thanks to this investment through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. The building will be a new home for the Canada Ireland Foundation, as well as for local culture, arts, and the community. This project will help to reclaim Toronto’s waterfront by providing a beautiful space for events, activities and people of all backgrounds to gather. Historic, sustainable and accessible, the Corleck fulfills a vision of infrastructure that honours and preserves the past, makes space for the present, and supports a bright and prosperous future.”

Robert G. Kearns, Chair and Founder of the Canada Ireland Foundation said: “When we opened Ireland Park on Toronto’s waterfront in 2007, our vision was to remember the past, celebrate the present and support a future of Irish-Canadian contributions. With the Corleck, we are finally realizing that dream and creating a venue that will present artistic and cultural programming and enable collaboration and engagement between the people of Ireland and Canada.

“The Canada Ireland Foundation is profoundly honoured that the Governments of Ireland and Canada share our vision and have graciously and generously provided the financial support to make the Corleck a reality. It will be a shining jewel, facing Toronto’s central harbourfront.”

William Peat, Executive Director, Canada Ireland Foundation said: “We are so grateful to the Federal Government of Canada and the Government of Ireland for their generous support of the Canada Ireland Foundation, particularly the Corleck. The Corleck will be an inclusive space to celebrate our shared heritage and critical cultural connections into the future.

“The arts in Ireland are flourishing right now, and our island is producing some of the most exciting art in the world. We are deeply honoured and excited to be able to present these artists in Canada’s largest City.”