Ireland Park Foundation

What Ireland Park Foundation does

Canada Ireland Foundation (formerly Ireland Park Foundation) is a registered Canadian non-profit organization founded in 1997 by Robert G. Kearns to commemorate the approximately 38,560 Irish Famine migrants who arrived in Toronto in 1847 and to deepen Canadians' connection to Irish culture. The Foundation operates a portfolio of three physical heritage assets on Toronto's waterfront: Ireland Park (opened 2007), a commemorative public park with seven Rowan Gillespie sculptures and limestone memorial columns; Grasett Park (opened 2021), honouring the physicians and caregivers who perished aiding the migrants; and The Corleck (opening November 2026), a $20-million restored 9,600-square-foot multipurpose arts venue at Eireann Quay.

The Foundation's programmatic offerings include the annual Bealtain Theatre Festival showcasing contemporary Irish theatre, the Canada Ireland Talks lecture series, virtual exhibitions such as the Irish Famine Migrant Stories digital exhibit (developed with the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park), the A Fateful Journey documentary, and the Network Ireland professional networking series for young Irish-heritage professionals. Programs are delivered through physical venues, partner venues including The Chelsea Hotel and Theatre Centre, and a multi-channel digital footprint spanning the company website, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, and email newsletter.

Revenue is generated through four streams: tax-receipted individual donations (one-time and recurring), event ticket sales (single tickets CAD $30-$55 plus package deals for the Bealtain Festival), corporate and individual event sponsorships, and planned giving/legacy gifts. The Foundation is supported by major institutional funders including the Government of Canada (via Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund), the Government of Ireland (via the Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Program), the Province of Ontario (via the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund), and the City of Toronto (via land leases for parks and The Corleck). Leadership is provided by Founder and Chair Emeritus Robert G. Kearns, Chair Mark Purdy, and Executive Director William B. Peat, with a board drawn from major Canadian law firms, financial institutions, and cultural organizations.

Name

Ireland Park Foundation

Legal name

Canada Ireland Foundation

Website

https://canadairelandfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Canada Ireland Foundation is a Toronto-based registered Canadian non-profit that commemorates Irish Famine migrants through two waterfront parks and a new 9,600 sq ft arts venue (The Corleck, opening November 2026), presenting Irish theatre, lectures, and exhibitions to Irish Canadians and the broader public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Heritage Programming

NAICS

Historical Sites (712120), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (71211)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH), National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH)

Keywords

• Irish heritage commemoration
• Cultural arts programming
• Public commemorative parks
• Heritage venue management
• Community foundation events

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Foundation operates as a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization relying primarily on community donations. Supporters can make one-time or recurring monthly or quarterly donations and receive email confirmations with tax receipts. The Foundation's work is made possible through contributions from community members, government partners, and private donors.
2. Event Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from theatre performances, festivals, and cultural events. Single tickets for Bealtaire Theatre Festival range from $30-$55, with package discounts available.
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsorships for events and cultural programming.
4. Legacy Gifts and Estate Planning: Planned giving and estate donations to support the Foundation's long-term mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ireland Park Foundation operates two commemorative public parks on Toronto's waterfront (Ireland Park and Grasett Park) honouring Irish Famine migrants and the Canadian caregivers who assisted them, and presents a portfolio of Irish and Irish-Canadian cultural programming including the Bealtain Theatre Festival, Canada Ireland Talks speaker series, art exhibitions, and the Network Ireland community series. A new 9,600-square-foot multipurpose arts and culture venue, The Corleck, opens at 3 Eireann Quay in November 2026 to serve as the Foundation's headquarters and programming hub.

Product overview

The Ireland Park Foundation (now operating as Canada Ireland Foundation) is a cultural heritage organization operating a portfolio of commemorative spaces and arts programming. Core offerings include: Ireland Park and Grasett Park (two public commemorative parks on Toronto's waterfront honouring Irish Famine migrants and the caregivers who assisted them), The Corleck (a new multipurpose arts venue opening November 2026), the annual Bealtain Theatre Festival showcasing contemporary Irish theatre, Canada Ireland Talks lecture series, digital exhibitions including Irish Famine Migrant Stories and A Fateful Journey documentary, and Network Ireland professional networking events. The organization functions as a platform combining physical heritage spaces with cultural programming and digital exhibitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ireland Park
• Grasett Park
• The Corleck
• Bealtain Theatre Festival
• Canada Ireland Talks
• Irish Famine Migrant Stories Virtual Exhibit
• A Fateful Journey Documentary
• Network Ireland

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 4.4 million Canadians with Irish heritage can connect with their cultural roots through Foundation programs.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Government of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Government of Canada, through Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, provided $726,126 to support The Corleck venue equipment including lighting, sound, video and staging systems.
• Government of IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Ireland is a lead donor and partner in the development of Ireland Park and other Foundation initiatives. The Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Program supports Foundation projects.
• Province of OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial government partner providing funding support for Ireland Park development.
• City of TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Toronto provided the land for Ireland Park and Grasett Park, and entered into a lease agreement for The Corleck building. Partner in park development and revitalization projects.
• Digital Museums CanadasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Museums Canada investment program (managed by Canadian Museum of History with Government of Canada support) supported the Irish Famine Migrant Stories virtual exhibition.
• National Famine Museum, Strokestown ParksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dr. Jason King, Academic Coordinator, for development of Irish Famine Migrant Stories exhibition content.
• Druid Theatre CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIreland's renowned touring theatre company performing at The Corleck for inaugural event. Druid has 51-year history and will present Samuel Beckett's Endgame November 2026.
• Arts Council of IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funder and supporter of Druid Theatre productions and Irish arts programming presented by the Foundation.
• Culture IrelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body promoting Irish arts internationally, supporting Irish theatre productions and cultural events at the Foundation.
• Luminato FestivalsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerToronto arts festival presenting Masterclass at Bealtaire Theatre Festival 2026.
• Ontario Cultural Attractions FundsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Ontario program supporting the Bealtaire Theatre Festival.
• Kearns Mancini ArchitectssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture firm led by Jonathan M. Kearns that designed Ireland Park.
• Denegri Bessai StudiosecondaryTechnology or IntegrationArchitecture and design firm responsible for Grasett Park design.
• Waterfront BIAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness improvement area supporting The Corleck and waterfront revitalization initiatives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Luminato Festival: Toronto's leading multi-disciplinary arts festival and an active programming partner of the Foundation (e.g., presenting Masterclass at Bealtaire 2026). Comparable as a larger Toronto arts nonprofit producing festivals and live programming.
• Heritage Toronto: Toronto-based heritage nonprofit operating citywide heritage programming, awards, and walks. Comparable in operating commemorative and educational programming around local history and culture.
• Canadian Museum of History: Canada's national museum of human history and administrator of the Digital Museums Canada investment program that supported the Foundation's virtual exhibition. Comparable as a federally-supported heritage institution with public education and exhibition mandates.

Direct peers

• The Ireland Funds: Global Irish-diaspora nonprofit (formerly including Ireland Fund of Canada and American Ireland Fund) that supports Irish heritage causes through donations and partnerships. Directly comparable in mission and diaspora-fundraising model.
• Ireland's Great Hunger Museum (Quinnipiac University): Museum dedicated to the Irish Famine and its global impact, located at Quinnipiac University. Directly comparable as a heritage institution focused on commemorating the same Irish Famine migrants the Foundation's parks honor.
• American Ireland Fund: US chapter of The Ireland Funds and a sister diaspora nonprofit where the Canada Ireland Foundation's founder was previously a Director. Closely aligned mission of building Ireland-diaspora connections through cultural and philanthropic support.
• Ireland Fund of Canada: Canadian chapter of The Ireland Funds, dedicated to supporting causes of Irish concern in Canada. Robert G. Kearns previously chaired the Ireland Fund of Canada, making this a closely related heritage organization.
• National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park: Irish national museum on the Great Hunger located at Strokestown Park House, which partnered with the Foundation on the Irish Famine Migrant Stories virtual exhibition. Highly comparable as a heritage site preserving Famine-era history.

Regional players

• Irish Cultural Centre (UK): UK-based Irish heritage and cultural center offering events, language classes, and community programming for the Irish diaspora. Comparable as an Irish heritage venue operator, but focused on the British-Irish diaspora market.

Others

• Toronto Arts Council: Municipal arts funding body supporting Toronto's nonprofit arts organizations. Comparable as a Toronto nonprofit-arts ecosystem participant and potential funding partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/canadairelandfd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@canadairelandfoundation8963
• Facebookfacebook.com/CanadaIrelandFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/canadairelandfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canada-ireland-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ireland Park Foundation