The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
President to visit Valentia Observatory and Cable Station
THIS Saturday, February 17, marks an historic day for the Cahersiveen and Valentia areas as President Michael D Higgins pays a special visit.
His itinerary will take in the Valentia Observatory at 12.30pm and the Valentia Cable Station at 2pm.
The President will be welcomed and addressed by the Valentia Island Development Company and the Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation Board, which was established to assist the Valentia Island Development Company with fundraising for the Transatlantic Cable UNESCO World Heritage Designation Project.
The President visits Valentia Observatory to mark its accreditation as a Centennial Station.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) awarded Valentia Observatory a certificate of accreditation as a Centennial Station in acknowledgement of over 100 years of high quality continuous meteorological observations.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Interestingly, the last President to visit Valentia in an official capacity was Mary McAleese, who did so over 10 years ago.
She crossed via the Valentia Car Ferry, accompanied by her husband Martin and was entertained in the ferry with a rendering of bagpipe music by John Lynch of Farranreigh, a bagpipe player and veteran of the halcyon days of the Valentia Pipe Band.
Ms McAleese has regularly be seen in the area since her tenure ended.
Meanwhile, on Friday evening at 8pm, President Higgins will be in the West Kerry Gaeltacht of Corca Dhuibhne for the traditional music school and festival Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh.
The President will address the guests, ahead of a special concert entitled ‘Mórtas Cine’ (Pride of People and of Place) in Halla na Feothanaigh, Feothanach.