Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare is a charming municipality nestled in the Lanaudière region of Quebec, Canada. It is an integral part of the Joliette Regional County Municipality, offering a rich history and vibrant culture.
The history of Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare dates back to 1803 when the geographic township of Kildare was proclaimed. The name was inspired by Kildare, Ireland, and the land was initially granted as title deeds or as payment for professional services.
The central portion of the land was entrusted to Mr. Vondevelden by the Lord of Lavaltrie as payment for his surveying fees. The northern portion was granted to English soldiers in 1822 by Major Beauchamp Colclough, Crown Commissioner and Land Agent. His intention was to establish the Town of Kildare, but his dismissal delayed the development of the place.
The first inhabitants hailed from Saint-Paul, Saint-Elizabeth, Lanoraie, and Berthier. The early settlers also included many Irish families who contributed significantly to the development of the area. They cleared much land, built an English school, a chapel, and a Protestant cemetery.
In 1832, the Parish of Saint-Jacques-de-Kildare was founded, which was renamed a year later to Saint-Philippe-de-Kildare. It was renamed again to its present name in 1839 as the Anglican, Methodist, and Catholic pioneers all had a devotion to St. Ambrose of Milan.
The municipality was first incorporated in 1847 but was soon abolished. In 1855, the Parish Municipality of Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare was formed, with Charles Laporte as the first mayor and D. Maigret as the first treasury-secretary. In 1956, the parish municipality lost part of its territory when the Municipality of Sainte-Marcelline-de-Kildare was formed. On December 6, 2014, Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare transitioned from a parish municipality to a regular municipality.
The linguistic landscape of Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare is predominantly French, with 98.3% of the population speaking French as their first language. English is the first language for 0.8% of the population, while 0.3% speak both English and French as their first language. Other languages account for 0.7% of the first languages spoken.
Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare is not just rich in history but also in culture. The French-Canadian soap opera TV series Terre Humaine was filmed in the municipality. The series was set in the parish of Sainte-Marie des Anges, a fictional recreation of Saint-Ambroise-de-Kildare, further highlighting the cultural significance of this charming municipality.
