NEW Irish Canal Digger’s Tour

NEW Irish Canal Digger’s Tour

St. James at Sag Bridge Historic Church and Cemetery.

In honor of St. Patrick’s day, the Canal Corridor Association is announcing a new tour available to tour groups that focuses on the Irish and the I&M Canal.

The Irish were early immigrants to the Corridor and were the largest ethnic group to dig the canal during its construction from 1836-1848. Though initially a rough-and-tumble lot treated as second-class citizens, later many Irish immigrants found opportunity in the region and became respected pillars of their communities.

Aux Sable Locktender’s House.

See the I&M Canal through the eyes of the Irish immigrants that dug the canal and settled the area. Tour the famous cemetery at the St. James at Sag Bridge Church where many canal workers are buried. Eat lunch at the nearby Irish Legend, then it is off to visit a locktender’s house and tour a successful Irish immigrant’s mansion in Ottawa. Finally, ride the mule-pulled La Salle Canal Boat up the canal, listening to stories about the lives of the canal workers in the 1800s. Finish the night with a delicious meal at Duffy’s Tavern.

10-11 hours. $65.95/person. Available May-Oct. 30-70 guests. Moderate Walking. For more information visit www.iandmcanal.org. To book, call (815) 220-1848 or email lasallecanalboat@iandmcanal.org

William Reddick’s Mansion.

Duffy’s Tavern in Utica.

Photos by Joe Balynas.