Marianna O’Gallagher is a driving force behind Quebec City’s understanding and sharing of its past.

In 1973, she founded Irish Heritage Quebec and helped raise public awareness of the tragic history of the island quarantine station, Grosse île, where an estimated 6,000 Irish famine immigrants are buried in mass graves.(The Celtic Cross pictured right was erected there by the Ancient Order of Hibernians).

Marianna was instrumental in the creation of the Grosse île and Irish Memorial National Historic Site in 1996.

Born in Sainte-Foy to parents of Irish descent, Marianna has written a number of scholarly and popular works, including "Grosse île: Gateway to Canada 1832-1957" and "Eyewitness Grosse île 1847".

She is a member of the Historical Society of Quebec and has served on the organizing committee for Quebec City’s 400th anniversary.

Her honors include the Ordre National du Québec (1998), and the Order of Canada (2002). She operates her own publishing company, Carraig Books, specializing in works from Quebec with an Irish connection.

Return to Global 100