In 1847, over 38,000 Irish men, women, and children landed at Rees's Wharf on the shores of Toronto, fleeing famine and eager to start a new life.

He designed it to be an emotional and evocative place calling up long-lost memories of destitute ancestors who arrived in Canada from Ireland with hopes for a new life in a new land.

The park features oak trees, a cylinder of stacked glass that serves as a beacon of hope, and five bronze sculptures created by renowned Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie.

"The early immigrants are now honoured at the Toronto waterfront park by five haunting bronze statues created by Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie...One figure depicts a man lying on the ground, emaciated; another shows a pregnant woman clutching her bulging stomach, while behind her a meek child stands wide-eyed.

"[4] In 2009, a film entitled Death or Canada featured Ireland Park and the dark story of 1847 and how it impacted the young city of Toronto.