Irish Canadians (Irish: Gael-Cheanadaigh) are Canadian citizens of Irish descent, which include descendants who trace their ancestry to immigrants who originated in Ireland and Northern Ireland. 1.2 million Irish immigrants arrived, 1825 to 1970, at least half of those in the period from 1831–1850. By 1867, they were the second largest ethnic group (after the French), and comprised 24% of Canada's population.