TTAWA–GATINEAU, March 1, 2022 Today, people across Canada will mark the start of the first official Irish Heritage Month. Irish Canadians have greatly contributed to the story of our country, and this month is an opportunity to learn more about their history and positive impact. After the Irish first began arriving in what was then known as New France in the 17th century, they often faced extreme poverty and discrimination. In the 19th century, many more arrived on famine ships. Despite many challenges, they thrived, and today, almost 4.6 million Canadians in towns and cities across Canada can…