Rideau Canal Celtic Cross, Historic site and memorial sculpture near Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Canada.
The Rideau Canal Celtic Cross is a granite memorial near the Parliament Buildings with five engraved symbols. These symbols show an Irish harp, pick, shovel, mosquito, wheelbarrow, and explosion, representing different aspects of the canal work.
The canal was built between 1826 and 1832 and about one thousand workers died during this dangerous work. These deaths resulted from accidents, malaria, and other diseases.
The memorial honors the work of Irish immigrants who died building the canal. The Celtic cross symbol connects their heritage to the sacrifice they made for this land.
The memorial stands next to Lock 1 of the Rideau Canal, below Major's Hill Park and the Château Laurier Hotel. It is easy to reach on foot and sits downtown near several other historic sites.
The memorial includes a rare mosquito symbol that honors the impact of malaria on the workers. This specific symbol is often overlooked even though it documents an important part of their suffering.
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