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...

Prince Michael of Kent Visits the Fortress of Louisbourg

On February 24th, 1984, Prince Michael of Kent toured the Fortress of Louisbourg, with Bill O’Shea as his guide.  Prince Michael of Kent is a member of the British Royal Family and the younger brother of Prince Edwards, the Duke of Kent.  He visited Canada in 1984 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first...

Lighthouses of Louisbourg (Photos) – collected by William A. O’Shea

William A. O'Shea (Bill O'Shea) was very passionate about the history of his adopted home of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. This archives is proof of that. While going through records, books, and research he gave to me before his passing in 2019, I found hundreds of incredible photographs. Many of historical significance. In this post, I...

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...

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...

What is the O’Shea Archives?

The O'Shea Archives is the home for the historical writing and research of Canadian historian, writer and researcher, William A. O'Shea (Bill O'Shea). This is a new digital collection of many years of historical writing. Over the coming weeks and months this site will be populated with a great deal of historical information about the...