St. Mary's - Newfoundland and Labrador

Early Portuguese named the community, the bay and the cape all in honour of Portugal's patron saint; St. Mary.

French fishermen used the area as a base in the 1500s for fishing and continued this use until 1713. Afterwards English merchants arrived with Irish fishing servants and permanent settlement soon followed.
 
Interesting Facts
• 1782, local inhabitants organize a defense against American Privateer and successfully defend their community.
• 1819, population is 454.
• 1834, Father James Duffy is appointed the first resident priest.
• 1851, a commercial school opens offering instruction in needlework, geography, grammar and navigation.
• 1859, the Presentation Sisters open a school.
• 1870, the first court house and jail opens.
• 1966, the community is incorporated.

Information Courtesy of The Irish Loop Development Board