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Valentia Island Opens New ‘Eighth Wonder’ Experience At The Historic Cable Station

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Over 150 years ago, Valentia Island was at the centre of a revolution that changed the world - and now you can discover why, at Valentia Cable Station.

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EXHIBIT: Marc Roosli of Mirador Media at the launch of The ‘Eight Wonder’ a new interactive installation that reveals the astounding story of the transatlantic cable. Developed through Fáilte Ireland’s ‘New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way’ Grants Scheme. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

SHIP: Mary Rose Stafford Valentia Cable Station Foundation and Michéal Lyne Valentia Island Cable Stationlooking at a model of ‘Great Eastern’ cable-laying steamship at the launch of the ‘Eight Wonder’ at Valentia Island Cable Station. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

LAUNCH: Danielle Favier Fáilte Ireland at the launch of the ‘Eight Wonder’. Over 150 years ago Valentia Island was at the centre of a revolution that changed the world byh creating a permanent communications link a transatlantic telegraph cable between Europe and North America from Foilhomurrum Bay successfully landing at Hearts Content Newfoundland in July 1866. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

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‘Eighth Wonder’ is a new interactive installation that reveals the astounding story of the transatlantic cable laid between Valentia and Newfoundland.

The transatlantic cable story was  called the Eighth Wonder of the World, the wire that changed the world, and it stretched 3,000 kilometres beneath the ocean and cut communication times between Europe and North America from weeks to minutes.

It was the beginning of global communications, and behind it lies an astonishing story of human endurance, science, adventure, genius - and the biggest ship in the world.

Valentia's crucial role in transatlantic cable project - the technological equivalent at the time of putting a man on the moon - is told in this immersive visitor experience at the Valentia Cable Station.

You can send your own morse code message and try to break the code, discover the underwater cables of today and see how communications technology has changed.

Eighth Wonder reveals how Valentia played a crucial role in an astounding human achievement that still influences how we live today.

‘Eighth Wonder’ was developed through Fáilte Ireland’s ‘New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way’ Grants Scheme with €200,000 being provided to bring the transatlantic cable experience to life again. New Horizons on the Wild Atlantic Way 2018 is a grants scheme for existing visitor attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route, designed to unlock the great stories the region has to offer.

Wild Atlantic Way Manager at Fáilte Ireland, Josephine O’Driscoll, said:

“The Visitor Experience Development Plan for the Skellig’s Coast, which was developed in consultation with local stakeholders, tourism businesses and the community, identified a number of development projects to bring local experiences along the Skellig Coast to life to help drive and sustain tourism in the area. Following the launch of the plan, we invested in a number of projects including €200,000 in the development of the ‘Eighth Wonder’ visitor experience at Valentia Cable Station and it is fantastic to see the project come to fruition. Innovative visitor experiences such as this are hugely important in attracting visitors and encouraging them to stay longer in the area and will be critical as we look towards driving a continued recovery of the tourism sector.”

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Newstalk Summer Tour arrives in Killarney

Newstalk’s 2025 Summer Tour, in association with ESB, is making its way to Killarney this week, bringing live broadcasts from the town. On morning, Friday, June 20, Newstalk Breakfast with […]

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Newstalk’s 2025 Summer Tour, in association with ESB, is making its way to Killarney this week, bringing live broadcasts from the town.

On morning, Friday, June 20, Newstalk Breakfast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Coleman will be live from the Café du Parc in the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, kicking off at 7 am.
Ciara and Shane are scheduled to speak with local Kerry figures and take a trip on Killarney’s jaunting cars to see the sights.
Kelly said: “I am so excited to head to Killarney. I have had some fantastic memories as a child visiting Kerry and can’t wait to go back for Newstalk’s Summer tour!”
Coleman added: “Kerry is a wonderful place to visit and I am looking forward to seeing its natural beauty, vibrant culture and rich history.”
The week-long tour is taking the full Newstalk experience to towns across Ireland, featuring live shows, special guests, and conversation.

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Ring of Kerry Cycle to honour founder Paddy O’Donoghue

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This year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle, scheduled for July 5, will be run in memory of Paddy O’Donoghue, a founding member of the event.

Mr O’Donoghue, aged 81, from Muckross, passed away following a road collision in Kilgarvan on Tuesday, this week.

Paddy was a retired Kerry County Council engineer, affectionately known as ‘Paddy the Engineer’.

He was a driving force behind the annual charity cycle since its inception in 1982, regularly participating and fundraising for various causes. Beyond his cycling contributions, the Glenflesk native was also a notable footballer, having been part of the East Kerry team that secured the first All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1971.

Cathal Walshe, PRO of the Ring of Kerry Cycle said: “On behalf of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle I wish to extend sincere sympathy to Brenda and the O’Donoghue family on the sad and sudden loss of Paddy.

“He was a fantastic supporter of the annual charity cycle since it’s inception back in the 80s. A regular participant and wonderful fundraiser for whatever charity he chose. Paddy loved a challenge in whatever he undertook and was the epitome of what the event was all about. We miss the banter and craic but he won’t ever be forgotten. This year’s event will be dedicated to his memory on July the 5th. His likes will never be seen again. Slan Abhaile our friend.”

Tributes have been paid to Mr O’Donoghue, including from his local Glenflesk GAA club, who stated, “Glenflesk GAA would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Paddy O’Donoghue on his sad passing. He was a true Glenflesk stalwart as a player, mentor and lifelong supporter.”

Paddy is survived by his wife Brenda, children Florence, Áine, Denise, Brenda, Báirbre, Patrick, and Alice, 17 grandchildren, his brother John, sisters Margaret, Kathleen, and Anna, and a wide circle of relatives and friends.

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