Jeanie Johnston visits St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada
Friday 15th to Tuesday 19th August, 2003

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The Jeanie Johnston makes a return visit to St. Andrews 150 years after the original ship landed here in November, 1853. She arrived with close to 200 brave souls after being forced by relentless storms to change course from her destination of Quebec City from Tralee, Ireland. St. Andrews is the first port of call on Jeanie's Canadian tour.

Sheila Washburn of the St. Andrews committee says "We are going to celebrate the Jeanie's arrival with a re-enactment of events around the time of her first visit. Actors Robbie O'Neill and Michelle Daigle will be performing excerpts from 'Bound from Tralee' at the welcoming ceremony on Friday, August 15. Descendents of the original passengers will also be present. The whole town is preparing to celebrate our Irish roots with displays and special events. However, the ship itself is the main attraction and we are delighted to welcome captain and crew to our beautiful little port which has retained much of its 19th century character ."

Jeanie Johnston will be docked in St. Andrews from Friday, 15th August after sailing from Portsmouth. The ship will be open to visitors from Saturday, August 16 through Monday August 18 at Market Wharf. She will depart early on Tuesday, August 19, to catch the rising tide. She will arrive in Saint John the following day, August 20.

Dates the ship is open to visitors and location:

  • Saturday 16th through Monday 18th August - Market Wharf

  • Open for tours daily from 10.30am to 6.30pm

    Admission charges in $CND:
    $9 for adults
    $6 for seniors, students and children under 12
    $20 for family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children

    See the Schedule of Events for St. Andrews

    Details of Jeanie's arrival
  • The ship will arrive at the Market Wharf at about 2 p.m. on August 15, however the welcoming ceremony will not take place until about 4:30 p.m. to allow the ship to clear customs. The ceremony will start at ship-side and proceed to Market Square to allow a wider audience.

    Special Events

    A calendar of events and a town map will be available at the Welcome Centre and various establishments within the Town. It will give details on:

    Entertainment at our Four-Day Ceili featuring a wealth of local musical, dance and dramatic talent. At Market Square daily from noon to mid-evening.

  • Free Celtic dance lessons Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings

  • Ecumenical service 5 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, August 17, at the Celtic Cross.

  • Genealogy/archival display 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17 at the St. Andrews Anglican Parish Hall.

  • Activities and special events at businesses and organizations within the Town.

  • The Mizzen Men, Celtic musicians from Saint John, will be performing their song "The Ship from Tralee" on Monday, August 18th.

    The Jeanie Johnston sailed into the calm waters of St. Andrews in beautiful weather accompanied by a flotilla of about 100 local boats, to a rousing welcome from the crowd of well-wishers on the dockside.

    St. Andrews Mayor John Craig was impressed by the history of the wooden ship anchored at the wharf. "It's quite an honour. It's just impressive the size, it just blows you away the size of it."

    Mr. Craig welcomed the crew to St. Andrews at a celebration on Friday night. He told them it was a proud day for the 100-year-old town.

    "It is a tangible reminder of the struggles of the Irish who helped build New Brunswick and Canada to what it is today," the mayor said. "It too is a reminder of those who came before, and those that deserve remembrance and respect."

    Photos from 15th August, when the Jeanie arrived in St. Andrews,
    kindly sent in by Paula Small, Communications & Public Relations Officer,
    Saint John Port Authority:


    Captain Rob Andrews meets the Chairpersons of the St. Andrews committee
    Captain Rob Matthews meets the Chairpersons
    of the St. Andrews committee.    		 The gangplank looks rather steep for visitors!
    The gangplank looks rather steep for visitors!
    Marching from the Jeanie to the welcoming ceremony
    Marching from the Jeanie to the welcoming ceremony.    		 Marching through the town to the welcoming ceremony
    Marching through the town to the welcoming ceremony.
    Crew members during the welcoming ceremony
    Crew members during the welcoming ceremony    		 Crew members being introduced to the well-wishers
    Crew members being introduced to the well-wishers.
    The first mate addressing the crowd
    The first mate addressing the crowd    		 The New Brunswick flag being presented to the crew
    The New Brunswick flag being presented to the crew.
    Some of the entertainment during the welcoming ceremony
    Some of the entertainment during the welcoming ceremony.    		 An interview with a reporter from the local newspaper
    An interview with a reporter from the local station CBC.
    Photos below kindly sent by Bernie Wilcox:
    Jeanie sails into St. Andrews
    Jeanie sails into St. Andrews
    Jeanie berthed in St. Andrews
    Jeanie berthed at Market Wharf.
    visitors waiting to go aboard Jeanie
    Visitors waiting to go aboard the ship.    		minstrels play Irish tunes for the visitors
    Minstrels play Irish tunes for the visitors.

    • Sail training berths are available from St. Andrews to Saint John.
    Join date: Tuesday, August 19th, Arrive Wednesday, August 20. Duration: 1 day.
    Sail Training Crew Fee: 250$ cdn
    Please check the project sail training page for further information and how to apply.

    Jeanie Johnston can be hired for private and corporate functions whilst docked in St. Andrews.
    Please check the project website for details.
    Will you be visiting the Jeanie Johnston whilst she is docked in St. Andrews? If so, we would like to hear from you, letting us know how you found the experience onboard, for posting in a short report on this page. A photo or two would be nice as well!

    and return to JeanieJohnston.net.