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• What are Forts?

2010 Fenian Raids at Old Fort Erie
June 12 - 13, 2010
 

The Niagara Parks Commission is pleased to announce the return of the bi-annual Fenian Raids of Old Fort Erie on June 12 & 13. Daily battle re-enactments of the last invasion into Canada will take place, featuring the Fenian soldiers, whose dreams of Irish independence instead helped Canada become the nation it is today. This year, NPC is also pleased to welcome a special guest, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable David Onley, who will provide a special address prior to the Saturday battle re-enactment.

Weekend Schedule of Events
Saturday, June 12
1:00 p.m. Special address by Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable David Onley
1:30 p.m. Afternoon battle
8:30 p.m. Evening battle, followed by Ghost Tours of Old Fort Erie.

Sunday, June 13
1:30 p.m. Afternoon battle

History of the Fenian Raids
On June 1, 1866, Irish veterans of the U.S. Civil War, under the newly formed flag of the Irish Republican Army, crossed the border into Niagara. This armed incursion into “Canada West” (Ontario) was expected to force the British into freeing Ireland. After two days of fighting in the Fort Erie area with Canadian militia units, the Fenians, as they were known, retreated to the Old Fort, where they were captured attempting to return to the United States. This invasion into Canada spurred efforts for Confederation in order to protect Canadian sovereignty. On June 2, 1866 the invasion came to a head at The Battle of Ridgeway.

Entrance to Old Fort Erie includes Day Programs, or Evening Lantern tours. Battles are FREE. Adults (13 and over) $9.25, Children (6 – 12 years old) $6.00 (prices quoted in Canadian dollars, taxes not included), Children under 5 are free. Located at 350 Lakeshore Road in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, Old Fort Erie is approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) or a scenic 20-minute drive south of Niagara Falls and is close to the Peace Bridge from Buffalo, New York. The grounds and the main floor rooms of the buildings are wheelchair accessible. For more inforamtion, please call (905) 871-0540.

Old Fort Erie is owned by The Niagara Parks Commission, an agency of the Government of Ontario.
Niagara Parks has preserved and maintained the parklands and attractions surrounding the Falls without tax dollars since 1885. Remember that your purchases at Niagara Parks help great things happen. Every dollar you spend with us helps preserve the nature and heritage of the falls and the Niagara River Parkway.