Irish in Toronto

Robert Kearns, Chair and Founder of the Canada Ireland Foundation

November 16, 2023 Pa Sheehan Episode 32
Robert Kearns, Chair and Founder of the Canada Ireland Foundation
Irish in Toronto
More Info
Irish in Toronto
Robert Kearns, Chair and Founder of the Canada Ireland Foundation
Nov 16, 2023 Episode 32
Pa Sheehan

I would still encourage people to download the episodes and to share them with friends and family. Downloads are the easiest indicator for me to gauge how many people I am reaching with these conversations so I would really appreciate it. 

Robert arrived in Toronto in 1979 not knowing how life would pan out for him. With a degree in Archaeology and Greek and Roman Civilization from UCD, he could scarcely have imagined that he would find and become President of his own insurance firm; Kearns Insurance Corporation. What drew me to Robert was his incessant work with the Irish community in Toronto, especially the Ireland Fund of Canada from 1980-2004, serving as its Chair from 1989-1992. Along with being a Director of the America Ireland Fund, he is also a Founding Director of the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce and remains a member to this day. In terms of my own work at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, Robert  served as Chairman of the Campaign for Celtic Studies and is an Honorary Fellow of the university. 


At the moment, Robert is the Chair and founder of the  Canada Ireland Foundation, which created Ireland Park and Grasett Park in Toronto, and is now in the midst of developing The Corleck, a new arts, culture and heritage venue set to open soon on Toronto's waterfront. 




Show Notes

I would still encourage people to download the episodes and to share them with friends and family. Downloads are the easiest indicator for me to gauge how many people I am reaching with these conversations so I would really appreciate it. 

Robert arrived in Toronto in 1979 not knowing how life would pan out for him. With a degree in Archaeology and Greek and Roman Civilization from UCD, he could scarcely have imagined that he would find and become President of his own insurance firm; Kearns Insurance Corporation. What drew me to Robert was his incessant work with the Irish community in Toronto, especially the Ireland Fund of Canada from 1980-2004, serving as its Chair from 1989-1992. Along with being a Director of the America Ireland Fund, he is also a Founding Director of the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce and remains a member to this day. In terms of my own work at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, Robert  served as Chairman of the Campaign for Celtic Studies and is an Honorary Fellow of the university. 


At the moment, Robert is the Chair and founder of the  Canada Ireland Foundation, which created Ireland Park and Grasett Park in Toronto, and is now in the midst of developing The Corleck, a new arts, culture and heritage venue set to open soon on Toronto's waterfront.