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Completed in 1825, the 363-mile long Erie Canal was the longest artificial waterway in North America. It was also the first canal to connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, making New York City the principal seaport in the United States. During the eight years of construction, significant numbers of Irish immigrants joined American-born workers as they excavated and constructed the canal by hand and animal power. Indeed, the Erie Canal is part of our rich heritage as Irish, Irish Americans, and as New Yorkers. The Irish American Heritage Museum is hosting a week-long celebration of the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial.
On October 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM, the Irish American Heritage Museum and City of Albany welcomes a replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief to Albany as it makes its Bicentennial Voyage, commemorating Governor DeWitt Clinton’s historic 1825 journey from Buffalo to New York Harbor.
At 7:00 PM that evening, IAHM will host a dinner with Seneca Chief’s Captain Ann Loeding and the Seneca Chief’screw. During the evening's festivities, there will be live music; an interpretive dance performance entitled The Erie Canal Project: An Original Choreography to Erie Canal Songs by Cecilia Whelan Dance Company (NYC); and, a panel discussion about the Erie Canal by Seneca Chief’s Captain Loeding, Jack McEneny and IAHM’s Executive Director Michael C. Clarke.
IAHM is grateful for its sponsor partners, including: the City of Albany, Discover Albany, Metroland Now, and O'Slattery's Irish Restaurant and Pub (Delmar NY).