Category: News

In a historic reaffirmation of the bonds that have linked Valentia Island in County Kerry, Ireland, and Heart’s Content in Newfoundland, Canada, a delegation from Newfoundland recently visited Valentia Island. The visit, part of an ongoing UNESCO Heritage project, celebrated the pivotal role both villages played in the 19th century in connecting the Old and New Worlds through the transatlantic cable.

Historical Significance of Valentia and Heart’s Content

In the late 1800s, the successful connection of the transatlantic cable between London and New York via Valentia Island and Heart’s Content revolutionized global communications. This achievement positioned the two villages at the forefront of the emerging global communications industry, marking the beginning of globalization and bridging continents and cultures.

The Canadian Delegation’s Visit

Hosted by the Valentia Island Development Company and the Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation, in collaboration with Kerry County Council, the delegation from Newfoundland was led by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. The delegation included several officials and members of the Heart’s Content community, reciprocating a visit from Kerry to Heart’s Content in August 2023.

Week-Long Activities and Engagements

During their visit, the Newfoundland delegation participated in various activities that underscored the historical importance of the Transatlantic Cable project:

• Tour of Historic Sites: The delegation toured significant sites such as the Cable Station, Foilhummerum Bay, Glanleam House, and the Heritage Centre, all central to the story of the transatlantic cable.

 

• School Visit in Chapeltown: Minister Crocker presented the school with a copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in September 2022, establishing a framework for cooperation between the two governments concerning the UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble.

• Community Reception: The delegation was honoured at a community reception at the Cable Station. Speeches by Minister Crocker and outgoing Cathaoirleach of Kenmare MD, Norma Moriarty, highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the two communities.

Collaborative Efforts for UNESCO Heritage Status

The visit aimed not only to celebrate shared history but also to foster future cooperation. Teams from both sides of the Atlantic worked on several important initiatives:

• Joint Management Structure: They collaborated on establishing a joint management structure and setting milestones for the UNESCO inscription journey.

 

• Community Partnership Workshop: A workshop was conducted to explore shared interests and identify joint projects with potential socio-economic benefits for both communities.

Conclusion of the Visit

The delegation’s visit concluded with a reception at the Canadian Embassy in Dublin, further solidifying the strong ties between Ireland and Canada. This visit represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status for the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble. It also reinforces the historical connection and shared heritage between Valentia Island and Heart’s Content, promising to preserve their rich history and foster socio-economic development through shared cultural and historical projects.

 

Valentia Island Development Company C.L.G. (VIDCo) was formed by a group of people from Valentia Island who were interested in promoting the Island and helping it to be developed in a sustainable way and to make it a better place for future generations to live, work and play. Our aim is to help prospective entrepreneurs from Valentia realise their goals and open as many doors as possible for them, particularly by way of obtaining grants and offering advice and support for Start-Up operations. We would hope to see an increase in population especially in the younger generation to secure increased numbers in our school, retain and increase teacher numbers, have enough players available to field our own football teams and have adequate numbers to support our local Rowing Club and other sporting organisations.
VIDCo is a totally voluntary group and members give of their time without remuneration in any way. We face many challenges in our efforts to make Valentia a better place and when UNESCO became a possibility, we embraced it with open arms. We believe the benefits of World Recognition once again for Valentia would be of tremendous benefit to the entire Island and far beyond. We have established a strong partnership with Kerry Co. Co., the Irish Government and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Indeed, the project became a National one when it was put on the Irish Tentative List and the Government saw fit to send it on to Paris for UNESCO approval. UNESCO approval will not happen without the consent of the people of Valentia and UNESCO over the next number of years will seek to ascertain local approval as well as Site Authenticity, Outstanding Universal Value and other criteria. To keep everybody properly informed Kerry Co. Co. are advertising a full-time post for a coordinating officer who will be responsible for liaising with the people of the Island and different local groups.

Knightstown
The Valentia Cable Building is currently the only component of the ensemble currently submitted to UNESCO and VIDCo believes that there should be Planning Protection for the site to ensure that the world heritage application is successful. We support all development in Knightstown to include housing, commercial development, car parks and/or any other required infrastructure that would benefit the local community in line with the island’s recent Socioeconomic Plan.
We believe Knightstown needs to be able to meet the demands of increased numbers visiting the Island with the Greenway already underway. The village needs to be commercially developed and planning must reflect this. There is an urgent need for more commercial outlets of all types in the village. We also call on Kerry Co. Co. to designate an area for Casual Trading as it has done in other towns around the county. There is a real likelihood that Knightstown is in danger of being called ‘The village where you can’t buy a cup of coffee’.
We realise that the Water Treatment Plant is at full capacity and that is preventing further housing and commercial development in Knightstown. Again, we believe there is enough goodwill at the central government level to fast-track the necessary finance to expand this plant. VIDCo will use all its influence to bring this to fruition.
VIDCo believes that, once the funding for the water treatment plant is in place, the village boundaries need to be expanded to at least Batchelor’s Walk, Glanleam Cross and beyond. Bachelor’s Walk Road needs to be upgraded by widening the road and footpaths installed and continued to the Cable Station to complete the Three Roads Walk. This area should be zoned for Mixed Use to include housing. VIDCo has plans for a Digital Hub in the 28 rooms upstairs in The Cable Station as well as the Cable Experience Visitor Centre downstairs. It is expected that this will go to tender in early 2024. There is an urgent need for housing for the remote workers. We believe Remote Working will be the saviour of Rural Ireland and the Western Seaboard but without affordable housing, it will not happen.
VIDCo has purchased the Slate Yard and has plans to develop it into a Village Centre with proper landscaping. This will include the restoration of The First Message Building and its conversion to a Cable Museum with a small ticket office/tourist information office and coffee shop adjacent. We expect the Slate Yard to be a focal point of the Village with outdoor seating, tables and planting etc., a place that Valentia can be proud of.
It is vital that the infrastructure in Knightstown is upgraded to allow for the expansion and development of the local Royal Valentia Hotel. This would increase accommodation capacity and allow for more visitors to spend time and money in the area and boost the local economy.

Knightstown Marina
As a follow-up to the investment in the breakwater system at Knightstown Marina, we would like to get this project re-introduced on the Kerry Co. Co. list of priorities.

Reenard Point
We would like to see it as an objective on the LAP that the slipway at Reenard Point be repaired and expanded to facilitate and future-proof the Valentia Ferry operation which is an essential corridor to the island and necessary to facilitate the increased volume of visitors that will result from the greenway and potential UNESCO status.

Chapeltown
Chapeltown has been designated for light industry. VIDCo supports this and to this end, we are in the process of purchasing land on which we hope to develop an Industrial Site where we would build small industrial units to be leased to prospective clients somewhat similar to Dromid. We would hope that this would have the approval of Kerry Co. Co. and we ask the planning team to consider this in the LAP. We are also recommending that a recreation area/park should be planned in Chapeltown – we believe that this would enhance the quality of life of the Chapeltown community.

Affordable Housing
VIDCo acknowledges that the greatest need on the Island is Affordable Housing. One of Fionan Murphy’s greatest constraints to expanding Murphy Marine is the lack of housing for his workers locally. Also, there is capacity for 18 jobs at Valentia Radio Station. Some are still vacant because of a lack of affordable housing and only one of the staff now lives on Valentia. To provide Affordable Housing VIDCO is in the process of acquiring a site on the outskirts of Chapeltown. We would like to see the boundary of Chapeltown Village extended on all roads and Residential Planning be allowed. Kerry Co. Co. purchased a site for a Water Treatment Plant for Chapeltown over 25 years ago. We believe this could be developed as ICW (Integrated Constructed Wetlands) to serve the village, at a reasonable cost and, yes, UNESCO Designation can be used as a means of raising the required capital from the Central Government for this.

Valentia Lighthouse
Valentia Lighthouse is one of the main visitor attractions on the island with a major impact on the local economy, drawing in excess of 20k visitors every year. The road to Valentia Lighthouse has been eroded and undermined by sea storms and now there is a serious danger of the lighthouse becoming totally cut off. There is an urgent need for the road and car park to be repaired.

Heritage sensitive areas
VIDCo is aware of the UNESCO stipulation for a protected zone around industrial world heritage sites. The Valentia sites are required to comply with UNESCO criteria but it is our firm understanding that development will be permitted within these areas as stated by the Kerry Co. Co. planning department. We, however, submit that these “sensitive heritage areas” be kept to an absolute minimum and that the area around Foilhommerum, and the land area indicated across the channel to Portmagee, be removed from the Local Area Plan, These areas are already protected as Heritage Sites and Special Areas of Conservation. We believe in the long-term positive impact of the UNESCO designation as a key element for the future development of the local community. The progression of the UNESCO project in the future will secure funding for the refurbishment of the Cable Station and the development of a digital hub that would enable remote working and services to the community. We believe that strategic development around the UNESCO designation and the Greenway will leverage funding for infrastructural development, housing and recreation areas to be developed on the island.

Valentia Island Development Company C.L.G.
31st October 2023

If you want to support us or have your say about the future of Valentia, please register and make your own submission HERE. The last day for submissions is the 3rd of November 2023.

On Tuesday, August 8th a delegation of the key stakeholders of the Valentia end of the Transnational UNESCO project, arrived at Heart’s Content in Newfoundland, Canada, home to the landing site of the first Transatlantic Cable. The delegation was led by the newly appointed Mayor of Kerry, Mr Jim Finucane, along with officials from Kerry County Council and the Department of Heritage. Also, as part of the working group, there were representatives from Valentia Island Development Company and the Transatlantic Cable Foundation.

The delegation received a warm reception from their counterparts in Newfoundland including the Minister responsible for Heritage, his officials, representatives from Parks Canada, and the local community at Hearts Content. Highlights of the visit included a walking tour of the historic sites at Hearts Content, many mirroring those at Valentia, a visit to the Cable Station and an evening reception with the local community, hosted by the Mayor of Hearts Content, Mr Doug Piercy.

The Irish and Canadian delegations participated in a series of workshops over three days at the Heart’s Content Cable Station. Hopes for the future were shared, new friendships were forged and actions were agreed to move forward on the joint UNESCO application and the collaboration between the two communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

We look forward to staying in touch with the community at Hearts Content and plans are already being discussed for a return visit of a Canadian delegation to Valentia next summer.

 

Article by: Leonard Hobbs

On Friday, July 28^th the 7^th Valentia Lecture returned to the historic Cable Station with a new theme “A Vision for Ireland and its Place in the Digital World “

We were delighted to be joined by Mr Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Dr Nicola Millard, Principal Innovation Partner at BT, Entrepreneur Mr Norman Crowley of Cool Planet, and cable security expert, Dr Camino Kavanagh.

In addressing the theme of this year’s Lecture, the speakers discussed topics including;

• The future of Ireland’s economy in a connected world
• The opportunity of Ireland being the greenest country on Earth
• The role of Ireland in the security of subsea cables
• Trends shaping the future of work

 

This year we again hosted an online “link-up” with Hearts Content in Newfoundland Canada, featuring a greeting from each country’s Ambassador and updates from both sides of the Atlantic on the hopes and plans for achieving UNESCO heritage status for this transnational project.

The Lecture was followed by a gala dinner at the Royal Hotel in which Her Excellency, Ms Nancy Smyth, the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, on her third visit to Valentia, delivered an after-dinner address, following a welcome from Mr. Shay Walsh, MD of BT Ireland. We welcomed over 140 guests to the dinner, our largest yet, and many thanks to the staff at the Royal for taking care of us so well.

The Gala dinner also saw the closing on Friday the ‘online’ silent auction. Over 30 items were offered for auction including unique Kerry jerseys, bespoke hotel accommodation packages and golf outings. In addition, there was a draw for a pair of economy class tickets with Air Canada from Dublin to either Canada, USA, Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean. We are delighted to say that over €20k was raised with the auction and we would like to sincerely thank all those who donated and bid on the auction.

 

 

 

The Foundation is very grateful to the team at Aspen Grove who coordinated the auction, along with our sponsors this year, BT Ireland and National Broadband Ireland.

 

Article by: Leonard Hobbs

The inaugural Ark Storytelling Festival took place on Valentia Island in 2022 and plans are underway for this year’s weekend of inspiring workshops and performances. The key elements of the festival remain with a balance of local and visiting performers and facilitators and new features have been added to the programme to complement the main songwriting workshop.

The songwriting workshop in 2022 was a great success. Some participants have gone on to write and record songs, commence MA’s in songwriting and one attendee called the workshop “life-changing”!

We have no doubt that renowned musician Ultan Conlon will deliver the same degree of success. This year’s workshop is intensive and fun, running over two days, with 7 hours of practice on your songwriting craft. Suitable for beginners and those with more experience the aim of the workshop is to tap into your creativity and release the songs that are within you. Ultan has been running this workshop for a while and one lady had this to say about the experience, “I gained inspiration, encouragement, and many practical tips which have spurred me on to start writing again, something I put off for years. I recommend this course to any budding songwriters”. This is the first time this workshop has come to South Kerry and it is not to be missed.

On Saturday night, June 17th, Ultan will perform live with his band, with support from talented local singers/songwriters. Ultan has performed with Jackson Browne, Shelby Lynne, John Fogerty, Mavis Staples, Bryan Ferry, John Grant, Eddi Reader, Patty Griffin, and Richard Hawley, among others and his voice has been compared to Roy Orbison. This is guaranteed to be a wonderful night on the island.

Irish musician ADT (Alan Daniel Tobin) is taking his new single, ‘From The Eastern Shore’, to the coasts of Ireland in a series of performances at six iconic lighthouses over the summer months. The tour, dubbed The Little Lighthouse Tour, kicks off in June for a two-month run. ADT will perform at Valentia Island Lighthouse on Sunday 18th June at 16:30 as part of the Ark Storytelling Festival.

In addition to the live performance and workshop this year the festival includes a poetry workshop with acclaimed local poet, Paddy Bushe, followed by an Open Mic Poetry Night, an opportunity to share your poems with a wonderfully warm, supportive audience. There will also be a Literary Salon Coffee Morning, featuring local fiction writers discussing their writing process. This will be a relaxed, informal gathering at Valentia Lighthouse and there will be lots of chances for beginner writers to ask questions and find inspiration.

And because we will all be brimming with creativity, but maybe running out of energy after all that, on Sunday morning there will be a rejuvenating Yoga & Journalling for Creativity session on Sunday morning.

Click HERE for all tickets and further information, or scan the QR Code:

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Valentia Island Community Team Public Meeting

Following a well-attended public meeting held at the Ring Lyne, Chapeltown, Valentia Island on Tuesday, 15th November 2022, the Valentia Island Community Team was formed to oversee the development of the Valentia Island Socio-Economic Plan. The Team comprises people who live and work in and around Valentia and is a direct link between the local community and voluntary groups, business groups, Kerry County Council, and South Kerry Development Partnership CLG.
The Valentia Island Community Team has an essential role in identifying ways to retain a strong community at the heart of a vibrant and busy Valentia Island by ensuring that available funding is applied for by local groups and businesses and is used to benefit the Island as a whole.
The Team’s vision is to connect all of Valentia Island’s people and places, harness its social and economic opportunities and contribute to a strong, healthy, inclusive, and sustainable community.
In addition, it will provide an agreed, evidence-based reference for the Island’s future development. The Valentia Island Socio-Economic Plan will energize and reinvigorate the Island to reinforce the pride of place in the area by supporting initiatives and projects that will help to create jobs and facilitate business start-ups. A core principle of the Valentia Island Community Team is the involvement of all who live and work on the  Island in designing and delivering solutions for future development.
The first Planning Session will be held at the Cable Station, Knightstown, on Monday, 28th November 2022, at 7:30 pm. Exodea Europe Consulting Limited will facilitate the meeting. Everyone is invited to attend!

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Article by: Exodea Europe Consulting Ltd.