From left to right: Craig Hamm (Ottawa Irish Arts), Samara O’Gorman (CIMPN) & Nicolas McCarthy (Beechwood Cemetery). Photo by CIMPN.

On Saturday, July 11th, members of the Irish community gathered at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa for the inaugural National Day of Commemoration for Irish Nationals and Irish Canadians in the Military.

Nicolas McCarthy from Beechwood Cemetery organized the event, which took place beside the grave of Private Martin Groden of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. After surviving the battlefields of the First World War and Gallipoli, Groden immigrated to Ottawa, where he passed away alone in 1927 at just forty years old. His story was largely forgotten for nearly a century until research conducted by the cemetery connected his final resting place with his regiment in Ireland.

Samara O’Gorman, representing the CIMPN, attended the ceremony and delivered a heartfelt performance of her published poem, The Ranks of Green. Following the service, McCarthy generously provided O’Gorman with a guided tour of the historic grounds, focusing on the cemetery’s military sections and the iconic mausoleum.

Attendees shared personal stories about their heritage, including Craig Hamm from Ottawa Irish Arts, who spoke to O’Gorman about his success in using the CIMPN’s interactive map The Irish Mile™. The event concluded with a stirring rendition of the Irish national anthem, sung beautifully in Irish by a Cork native, as McCarthy and O’Gorman placed a wreath at Groden’s gravesite.

The CIMPN extends its heartfelt thanks to Nicolas and Beechwood Cemetery for having the CIMPN present at this inaugural ceremony. We look forward to continuing to expand our reach across Canada, fostering deeper community connections and preserving Irish-Canadian heritage from coast to coast.

Martin Groden’s grave in Beechwood Cemetery. Photo by CIMPN.