Newfoundlanders explore their roots in Enniscorthy

VISIT WAS PART OF A YEARLY TRANSATLANTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

ENNISCORTHY rolled out the red carpet for a delegation of transatlantic visitors last Tuesday.

The 57 visitors from Newfoundland spent nine days taking in the history, heritage and sites of interest around the south east, and they packed a lot in to their day trip to Enniscorthy. The visit was part of an exchange programme between Newfoundland where delegations visit each other on alternate years.

Enniscorthy Municipal District manager Padraig O’Gorman said that the visitors were ‘absolutely overwhelmed by the welcome’ they received.

Upon arrival in town, they were given an honour guard by the 1916 historical re-enactors who brought them to the patriots’ flag monument for a reading of the Proclamation, the raising of the flag and the National Anthem.

They then took a tour of the 1916 exhibition in the Athenaeum, before visiting Enniscorthy Castle and the Brooklyn Museum.

District Chairman Oliver Walsh and Council Chairman Cllr Paddy Kavanagh then formally welcomed them at a civic reception in the Athenaeum.

Presentations of purple and gold crystal were made to the group leaders Kyran Dwyer and Mayor of Torbay Ralf Tapper, and the mayor was invited to sign the distinguished visitors’ book.

Afterwards, some of the group went on to the 1798 centre, while others took time out to go shopping around town. Their day concluded with a trip to Vinegar Hill.

‘ They all have very strong Irish connections,’ said Padraig. ‘ The names included Murphy, Kelly and Furlong. They were very appreciative of the welcome. They said they will certainly recommend Wexford, Enniscorthy, and the south east when they go home.’

Local organising committee member Maria Nolan commented on how noticeable it was that the Newfoundlanders had kept the culture that their ancestors had brought over with them. ‘ They brought their own entertainers, and there were Irish entertainers too. They sang the same songs, and danced the same dances,’ she said.

The Newfoundland visitors at the Brooklyn exhibition at Enniscorthy Castle

Mayor of Torbay Ralf Trapper signs the visitors book at the Athenaeum in the company of Cllr Paddy Kavanagh, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, and Cllr Oliver Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District.