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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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Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

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With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.

The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.

Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.

Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.

“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”

The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.

Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.

“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”

Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.

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St Patrick’s Day parade winners announced

Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney. Delighted […]

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Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club has won the sought-after overall award in recognition of their colourful and action-packed entry to this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade in Killarney.

Delighted club representatives were presented with the Seán O’Keeffe Perpetual Trophy – in memory of the former Mayor of Killarney and parade stalwart – at a gala presentation of prizes in the International Hotel, Killarney on Tuesday night.

The award for the Best Interpretation of the Theme, which was Killarney: Experience More, went to the Wander Wild Festival who received the Michael Courtney Perpetual Trophy which is dedicated to the memory of another former mayor of the town who spearheaded the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations for many years.

The John ‘Killer’ O’Callaghan Perpetual Trophy for the Best Sporting Entry was won by Killarney Athletic AFC and the Peter Irwin Memorial Trophy for the Best Marching Group and Cultural/Arts Entry went to Millstreet Pipe Band.

The Best Sports Club was Spa GAA, the Best Children’s Group prize was won by Kilcummin Comhaltas and the Best New Entry was Killarney Rugby Football Club.

There was an international flavour to the Best Musical Entry which was scooped by the Glenridge High School Marching Band from New Jersey.

The prize for the Best Voluntary Group went to the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club, the Best School Award went to the Fiona Crowley Stage School and the Best Activity Group was deemed to be Scorchers Cheerleading Club.

The Most Entertaining Entry went to the Killarney Tidy Towns group, the prize for the Most Original Entry was won by Liebherr Container Cranes and the Most Imaginative Entry in the parade was the Art House, Killarney.

The Most Stylish Entry prize was awarded to the Ukrainian community whose representative said they were delighted to play a part in Ireland’s national holiday and thanked the people of Killarney for the warm welcome they have received.

Other prizes presented on the night included the Best Window Display which went to Christy Healy’s on New Street who were celebrating 100 years in business on St Patrick’s Day, while the Europe Hotel and Resort won the Best Green-Themed Building prize.

The judges for the parade were Br Pat Lynch, Guardian, Franciscan Friary, Pam Brosnan, Killarney Musical Society and Denis McMahon.

The awards were presented by Killarney St Patrick’s Festival Chairman Paul Sherry, Mayor of Killarney Cllr Niall Kelleher, Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Senior Executive Bridget O’Keeffe, and parade grand marshal Cathal P Walshe.

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