LOUISBOURG HERITAGE NOTES IN THE LOUISBOURG SEAGULL Extracted from © The Seagull Louisbourg Heritage Notes "January 2000" Louisbourg in 1900 - 100 years ago. The big Louisbourg event for the summer of 1900 was a visit by the Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier. He came to the fortress site to address the annual picnic of the... Continue Reading →
Irish President Visits Nova Scotia – Fortress of Louisbourg Tour by William A. O’Shea
The President of Ireland, Dr. Mary McAleese, visited Nova Scotia from October 8-10th, 1998 as part of her official visit to Canada. Part of that visit to Nova Scotia was flying to Sydney from Montreal and visiting the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. “On Thursday Mrs McAleese and her party flew from Montreal to... Continue Reading →
Greetings from Nova Scotia
While doing some research on my father, Bill O'Shea, I came acrioss this nice little story in the Edmonton Journal from 2007. My father always loved helping his community and those he met. Edmonton Journal People 14 February 2007 Greetings from Nova Scotia Let’s call this a tale of the Internet. And a fascinating one,... Continue Reading →
Beryl Markham’s Great Adventure: Abingdon to Baleine, September 5, 1936 –(Louisbourg Heritage Notes 11) Charles A. Burke (Edited by Bill O’Shea)
Beryl Markham’s Great Adventure: Abingdon to Baleine, September 5, 1936 (Louisbourg Heritage Notes 11) Charles A. Burke (Edited by Bill O’Shea) In West With the Night, Beryl Markham described her Kenyan childhood and subsequent career as a bust-pilot, big game spotter, horse breeder and successful transatlantic flyer. The book enjoyed immense popularity, but despite praise... Continue Reading →
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants – Bill O’Shea (Fortress of Louisbourg)
W.A. (Bill) O’Shea 1946 - 2019 Someone once remarked that we see further when we stand on the shoulders of giants. Bill O’Shea was such a giant for the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Bill’s career with Parks Canada spanned over 40 years beginning in Placentia and ending at Cornwall, but he is best... Continue Reading →
Special VE Day 1995 Edition (Heritage Notes No. 6) by Jean Kyte (edited by Bill O’Shea)
First published in May 1995 1939 & 1940 To the Louisbourg of 1939, the looming war declared by Great Britain and France on Germany on September 3rd was a minor affair that hardly rippled the even tenor of everyday life… Read more by downloading the free PDF version of this Heritage Notes: Special VE Day... Continue Reading →
William A. O’Shea – October 16, 1946 – October 14th, 2019
William A. O’Shea William Anthony O’Shea was born in Cornwall on October 16, 1946. He was educated in Cornwall graduating from CCVS. He graduated from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto with an M.A. in Social Anthropology. It was there he met his future wife Helen Anne Nixon. He had a long and distinguished career... Continue Reading →
The Congregation of Notre-Dame in 18th Century Louisbourg (Heritage Notes No. 7) – by A.J.B. Johnston (edited by Bill O’Shea)
The Congregation of Notre-Dame in 18th Century Louisbourg By A.J.B. Johnston (edited by Bill O’Shea) First published by the Louisbourg Heritage Society in July 1995. First on Cape Breton Island, then in exile in France, the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame served the people of Louisbourg for many decades. Their aim was to always... Continue Reading →
The Louisbourg Library – 50 Years (Heritage Notes 12) – by Bill O’Shea
Originally published by the Louisbourg Heritage Society in September, 2000. The Louisbourg Library - 50 Years Bill O’Shea The Louisbourg Branch of the Cape Breton Regional Library opened on October 6, 1950. It was on the ground floor of the Navy League building on Main Street. Christine MacLean was the first librarian… To read more... Continue Reading →
Louisbourg Navy League Hut (Heritage Notes No. 5)- by William A. O’Shea
Published by the Louisbourg Heritage Society in May 1994. Louisbourg Navy League Hut (A Provincial Heritage Property) William A. O’Shea In May 1994 the Louisbourg Navy League building was designated a Provincial Heritage Property. Cecil Grant, President, and Michael Burke, Past President, of the Louisbourg & Area Lions Club recognized the heritage value of the... Continue Reading →