Homecoming in Ireland, September 2025

An amazing week of events to commemorate those who participated in the Peter Robinson emigration schemes (1823 and 1825) has been planned in the Ballyhoura region and wider Munster area. The week's program is posted here for you. I will be attending.

Please join us!

IRELAND CANADA HOMECOMING 2025

REMEMBERING THE PETER ROBINSON SETTLERS OF THE BALLYHOURA REGION

15th - 21st September 2025

200th Anniversary

EVENT PROGRAMME

Preface

Dear Descendant of the Peter Robinson Settlers,

We invite you to explore the full programme of events scheduled for September 2025 in commemoration of the brave, resilient people who left the Port in Cove in 1823 and 1825 from the Ballyhoura region and wider Munster area. The programme is designed to provide an immersive experience of local culture and heritage combined with opportunities to meet and connect with local people and communities.

In order to ensure an immersive and enjoyable experience and to maximise your time with us we have established four main Event Hubs: Charleville, Doneraile, Mitchelstown and Kilmallock. Each Event Hub will also provide a schedule of planned evening activities across the week, which we will share at a later date. Bus transfers (pick-up and drop-off) will be organised for each activity from the following locations within each of these Event Hubs -

Charleville Park Hotel, Limerick Road, Charleville, Co. Cork P56 V268

Springfort Hall Hotel, Baltydaniel East, Doneraile, Mallow, Co. Cork P51 YP96

Firgrove Hotel, Cahir Hill, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork P67 Y206

Deebert House Hotel, Deebert, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick V35 KV62

Each day will provide a full day of activities, including lunch and bus transportation, from and to the Event Hubs. Each event outlined on the Event Programme will be bookable from early 2025 onwards. You will be able to select multiple activities, available on a first come first served basis, through the booking platform.

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week-long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

Typically, collections will commence at 8.30 am and return at 4.30 pm. Due to travel times, distance etc. there are certain days which may start/finish outside of these times.

Until the events are bookable, please bear in mind that this programme will be subject to change.

DAY 1. MONDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER, 2025

WELCOME TO BALLYHOURA, THE LAND OF YOUR ANCESTORS - COUNTY LIMERICK

12 p.m.

A Gala Lunch, combined with a heartfelt welcome, will begin the weeklong commemoration at the Deebert House Hotel, Kilmallock. You will have the opportunity to enjoy local produce while connecting with other descendants as well as local people.

3 p.m. Bus transfer from Kilmallock to Lough Gur Lough Gur Experience Tour (County Limerick)

Experience Neolithic Lough Gur, home to the largest stone circle in Ireland and one of the most complete archaeological landscapes in the country while gaining an understanding of the origins of the beliefs, traditions and folklore of your ancestors.

4:30 p.m. Bus Transfer from Lough Gur to Event Hub of Choice

8 PM - 10 PM 1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

Pick-up and drop off can be pre-booked, if required back to event hub locations

During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

DAY 2. TUESDAY 16th SEPTEMBER 2025

ORIGINS EXPERIENCE TOUR

You can choose from one of two options outlined below to explore key settler communities in the Galtee or Golden Vale districts of the Ballyhoura region.

8.30 Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence for each option.

OPTION 1 : GALTEE ORIGINS EXPERIENCE TOUR (COUNTIES LIMERICK,

AMCORK & TIPPERARY)

This full day, immersive tour will take in the key settler communities of Mitchelstown, Doneraile, Kilbehenny, Kilfinane and Ballyporeen (Templetenny). Walk in the footsteps of your ancestors taking in the lands of the Kingston Estate and St Ledger Estate Doneraile. Reconnect with your communities of origin – meet with local people, experience local history, historic graveyards and visit some of the sites pertinent to you and your ancestors.

This is a full day tour which includes lunch and bus transportation.

OROPTION 2 : GOLDEN VALE ORIGINS EXPERIENCE TOUR (NORTH CORK)

Walk in the footsteps of your ancestors, in this full-day, immersive experience taking in the lands of Charleville, Churchtown, Liscarroll, Milford, Newtownshandrum and Colmanswell. Reconnect with your communities or origin – meet with local people, experience local history and visit some of the sites pertinent to you and your ancestors.

This is a full day tour which includes lunch and bus transportation.

4.30 PM Return Bus Transfer to Event Hubs

8PM - 10 PM. 1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

Pick-up and drop off can be pre-booked, if required back to event hub locations.During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

DAY 3. WEDNESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER, 2025

8.30 AMBus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence

AVONDHU – BLACKWATER ORIGINS EXPERIENCE TOUR (COUNTY CORK)

Enjoy this full day, immersive tour taking in the key settler communities of Mallow, Fermoy, Kilworth, Rathcormac and Ballyhooly. Walk in the footsteps of your ancestors while reconnecting with your communities of origin. Meet with local people, experience local history and visit some of the sites pertinent to you and your ancestors.

4:30 p.m. Return Bus Transfer to Event Hubs

8 p.m. - 10 p.m. 1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

Pick-up and drop off can be pre-booked, if required back to event hub locations

During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub

back to event hub locations

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

DAY 4 THURSDAY, 18th SEPTEMBER, 2025

8 AM Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence. Early start due to travel distance.

JOURNEY TO THE PORT OF COVE EXPERIENCE TOUR (COUNTY CORK)

This very special tour is designed to follow the journey of the settlrs to

their final departure point a the Port of Cove. Collaborating with Queenstown Experience

and Cobh Titanic Trails this tour focuses on Ireland's emigration story and that of your

ancestors' emigrant story and will also highlight the Titanic Trail Experience. This is a full day with lunch included.

*Note: There will be free time for self-exploring of Cobh prior to return.

5 PM return Bus Transfer to Event Hubs

8 PM- 10 PM. 1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

DAY 5. FRIDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER, 2025

8 AM Bus transfer from Event Hubs will continue. Early start due to travel distance.

TREATY - KINGDOM EXPERIENCE TOUR. (COUNTIES LIMERICK AND KERRY)

This full day immersive and scenic tour will take you across Limerick, West Limerick, and Kerry incorporating parts of the beautiful Kerry coastline. Walk in the footsteps of your

ancestors, while reconnecting with your communities of origin taking in the key settler communities of Dingle, Listowel, Adare,and Croom. Meet with local people, experience local history, and visit some of the sites pertinent to you and your ancestors.

5 PM Return bus transfer to Events Hub.

CULTURE NIGHT - Peter Robinson Settlers Commemoration Concert (County Cork)

Promising a memorable and evocative evening. This concert will take place on National Culture Night in St. George's Arts and Culture Centre, providing some gorgeous performance of traditional Irish music, song, dance, and culture.

DAY 6, SATURDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER, 2025

8:30 AM Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence

PETER ROBINSON SETTLERS ASSISTED EMIGRATION SCHEME CONFERENCE (CO. CORK)

Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre, Mitchelstown will host this full day conference where you will hear from guest speakers and lecturers as well as a panel discussion. Join with international and national speakers in addressing some of the key themes and factors surrounding this assisted emigration scheme. The conference will be held in the beautifully restored, Saint George’s Church which is associated with 38 Settler families. The Conference and programme for the day is supported by EPIC Irish Emigration Museum. This is a wonderful opportunity to find out more to what is widely regarded as one of the most successful emigration experiments in history. This is a full day event, with lunch provided off-site, in Mitchelstown with bus transfers included.

It is our intention to host the Conference as a hybrid event for those who cannot be with us in Ireland for the Commemoration and will be bookable as an event in early 2025.

7:30 PM. PETER ROBINSON SETTLERS COMMEMORATION MASS

Saturday night masses are being arranged in a number of origin communities, the schedule and locations will be circulated closer to the event.

8 - 10 PM. 1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

Pick-up and drop off can be pre-booked, if required back to event hub locations

During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

DAY 7. SUNDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER, 2025

10 AM Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence.

COMMEMORATION OF THE PETER ROBINSON SETTLERS AT GRISTON BOG & WOODLAND, BLLYLANDERS (CO. LIMERICK)

The 'Woodland Dedication' will take place to remember and commemorate the Peter Robinson Settler families of 1823 and 1825.

This is an immersive, creative experience that will be managed in small groups across the bogland finalising with a commemoration ceremony and tree planting on site. It is in

collaboration with Ballyhoura Heritage and environment, Siolta Glasa, and Ballylanders Community.

Lunch, closing remarks and a Taste of Ballyhoura Experience will be held at Ballylnaders GAA Hall

Bus transfers included, with final return transfer scheduled from 4 PM onwards.

THANK YOU

CONTACT: Links:

AMANDA SLATTERY

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Ballyhoura Development -

+353 86 8686882 Peter Robinson Settlers

aslattery@ballyhoura.org

Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence. Early start due to travel distance.

JOURNEY TO THE PORT OF COVE EXPERIENCE TOUR (COUNTY CORK)

This very special tour is designed to follow the the journey of the settlers to their final departure point at the Port of Cove. Collaborating with Queenstown Experience and Cobh Titanic Trails This tour focuses on Ireland's emigration story and that of your ancestors’ emigrant story and will also highlight the Titanic Trail Experience. This is a full day with lunch included.*Note there will be free time for self exploring of Cobh prior to return.

Return Bus Transfer to Event Hubs

1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

‘The Cove of Cork. (from the Admiralty Ground.) ’ by Col. Wallis / W. H. Bartlett / R. Wallis c.1840

Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence. Early start due to travel distance.

JOURNEY TO THE PORT OF COVE EXPERIENCE TOUR (COUNTY CORK)

This very special tour is designed to follow the the journey of the settlers to their final departure point at the Port of Cove. Collaborating with Queenstown Experience and Cobh Titanic Trails This tour focuses on Ireland's emigration story and that of your ancestors’ emigrant story and will also highlight the Titanic Trail Experience. This is a full day with lunch included.*Note there will be free time for self exploring of Cobh prior to return.

Return Bus Transfer to Event Hubs

1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub back to event hub locations

8 AM

5 PM

8 PM- 10PM

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence. Early start due to travel distance.

JOURNEY TO THE PORT OF COVE EXPERIENCE TOUR (COUNTY CORK)

This very special tour is designed to follow the the journey of the settlers to their final departure point at the Port of Cove. Collaborating with Queenstown Experience and Cobh Titanic Trails This tour focuses on Ireland's emigration story and that of your ancestors’ emigrant story and will also highlight the Titanic Trail Experience. This is a full day with lunch included.*Note there will be free time for self exploring of Cobh prior to return.

Return Bus Transfer to Event Hubs

1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub back to event hub locations

8 AM

5 PM

8 PM- 10PM

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

Thursday 18th September 2025

Day 5 Friday 19th September 2025

8 AM

Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence. Early start due to travel distance.

TREATY – KINGDOM EXPERIENCE TOUR (COUNTIES LIMERICK AND KERRY)

This full day immersive and scenic tour will take you across Limerick, West Limerick and Kerry and incorporating parts of the beautiful Kerry coastline. Walk in the footsteps of your ancestors, while reconnecting with your communities of origin taking in the key settler communities of Dingle, Listowel, Adare, Croom. Meet with local people, experience local history and visit some of the sites pertinent to you and your ancestors.

Return Bus Transfer to Event Hubs

Culture Night – Peter Robinson Settlers Commemoration Concert (County Cork)

Promising a memorable and evocative evening. This concert will take place on National Culture Night in Saint George’s Arts & Culture Centre, providing some gorgeous performance of traditional Irish music, song, dance and culture.

5 PM

Day 6

Saturday 20th September 2025

Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence

PETER ROBINSON SETTLERS ASSISTED EMIGRATION SCHEME CONFERENCE (CO. CORK)

Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre, Mitchelstown will host this full day conference where you will hear from guest speakers and lecturers as well as a panel discussion. Join with international and national speakers in addressing some of the key themes and factors surrounding this assisted emigration scheme. The conference will be held in the beautifully restored, Saint George’s Church which is associated with 38 Settler families. The Conference and programme for the day is supported by EPIC Irish Emigration Museum. This is a wonderful opportunity to find out more to what is widely regarded as one of the most successful emigration experiments in history. This is a full day event, with lunch provided off-site, in Mitchelstown with bus transfers included.

It is our intention to host the Conference as a hybrid event for those who cannot be with us in Ireland for the Commemoration and will be bookable as an event in early 2025.

PETER ROBINSON SETTLERS COMMEMORATION MASS

Saturday night masses are being arranged in a number of origin communities, the schedule and locations will be circulated closer to the event.

1825: The Robinson Experiment

Step back in time and experience the newly commissioned “1825: The Robinson Experiment” with Callback Theatre, premiering for this week- long event and showing on selected evenings across the week.

Pick-up and drop off can be pre-booked, if required back to event hub locations

During the evening, we invite you to relax and take time to explore your local event hub

8.30 AM 10 AM

7.30 PM

8 PM- 10PM

*schedule of activities to be supplied at a later date.

Day 7

Bus Transfer from Event Hubs will commence

COMMEMORATION OF THE PETER ROBINSON SETTLERS AT GRISTON BOG & WOODLAND, BALLYLANDERS (CO. LIMERICK)

Music will greet you upon arrival in Ballylanders, with smaller groups transported by bus to Griston Bog and Woodland. The Commemoration Ceremony at Griston Bog and Woodland is the final event of this weeklong commemoration.

Here, the ‘Woodland Dedication’ will take place to remember and commemorate the Peter Robinson Settler families of 1823 and 1825.This is an immersive, creative experience that will be managed in small groups across the bogland finalising with a commemoration ceremony and tree planting on site. In collaboration with Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment, Síolta Glasa and Ballylanders Community.

A special piece of Ballyhoura to mark the commemoration will be announced in 2025 and can be preordered on request and collected at the event.turn transfer scheduled from 4.00pm onwards.

Lunch, closing remarks and a Taste of Ballyhoura Experience will be held at Ballylanders GAA Hall. Bus transfers included, with final return transfer scheduled from 4.00pm onwards.

10 AM

Sunday 21st September 2025

Thank you

For joining us this week as we come together to honour the brave men and women of the Peter Robinson Assisted Emigration Scheme. We're looking forward to welcoming you, sharing stories, and remembering their incredible journey and the legacy they’ve left behind

Contact:

Amanda Slattery Development Manager +353 86 8686882 aslattery@ballyhoura.org

Nichola Grufferty Development Officer +353 86 6003665

Links:

Ballyhoura Development- Peter Robinson Settlers

VisitBallyhoura.com

ngrufferty@ballyhoura.org

Isabelle SchulzGraduate Development Officer +353 85161 6658 ischulz@ballyhoura.org