‘When you get support from the highest office on the land you know you’ re on track’
DRIVE FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS ON VALENTIA ACCELERATES AS PRESIDENT LENDS SUPPORT AND MINISTER VISITS SISTER CABLE SITE IN NEWFOUNDLAND TO RAISE PROFILE OF BID.
VALENTIA, the point from which the first successful trans-Atlantic telegraph cable link was laid – between Valentia and Newfoundland in 1866 – is seeking to be included on the Irish government’s ‘Tentative List’ of World Heritage sites. It’s a first step on the path to formal recognition by UNESCO and the drive is receiving support from some impressive quarters.
For instance, the Canadian government is supporting Ireland’s bid for Valentia to be added to UNESCO’s list and this support has increased since December when the cable property at Heart’s Content in Newfoundland moved one step closer to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Canadian Government has long since recognised the cable station at Heart’s Content as a national treasure and Canada’s Federal Heritage Department thinks it’s time Valentia Island received similar recognition, as part of a joint UNESCO bid.
Cross -border applications will get priority from UNESCO, particularly for industrial heritage sites, and a statement from the Canadian department reads: ‘The Heart’s Content Cable Station Provincial Historic Site, together with its sister site in Valentia, Republic of Ireland, meets World Heritage’s high standard of universal value with respect to its cultural heritage values.The Committee encourages the Government of the Republic of Ireland to consider inclusion of Valentia on its Tentative List for World Heritage sites.’
This support from Canada is hugely significant for Valentia and last week Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin visited the Newfoundland historical cable site where he discussed a joint application to UNESCO for World Heritage Designation for the Valentia Cable Station and it‘s sister site in Newfoundland.
Meanwhile, Killarney National Park, Skellig Michael and the Valentia Cable Station are part of Project Ireland 2040, which will see a €285 million investment in national heritage nationwide. In view of this, President Higgins’ visit last week to the Valentia Island Cable Station buildings in Knightstown was of major significance. It was perfect timing for the campaign and the ambitions of Valentia Island Development Company and Valentia Island Transatlanic Cable Foundation Board to present the historic cable as a UNESCO World Industrial Heritage Communications Site.
It is also the intention of Valentia Cable Foundation Board to establish a Digital Hub (sponsored by BT) upstairs in the cable building, with top of the range high speed broadband as a huge incentive to re-establish a vibrancy of technological employment which once existed there.
The President first visited Valentia Observatory in Cahersiveen and subsequently arrived to Knightstown at approximately 2.30pm. On a calm, rain-free day he was greeted outside the building by Anthony O’Connell of the Valentia Island Transatlantic Cable Foundation Board
There was bagpipe music too, provided by Patrick Lyne of Cooil, accompanied by his daughters Amy and Chloe and also Dermot Walsh of Knightstown. The President then entered the building to a packed attendance in the billiard room and was introduced to the Valentia Cable Foundation Board members by Anthony O’Connell.
Cable Foundation Board Chairman Leonard Hobbs opened by welcoming the President. Then Micheál Lyne of the Cable Foundation Board spoke on the Cable’s history, followed by the President’s speech and words from KCC CEO Moira Murrell.
Ahead of his trip to Canada to promote the joint UNESCO bid, Junior Minister for Tourism Brendan Griffin was also present for the presidential visit, as was Mayor John Sheahan, IDA CEO Martin Shanahan, as well as members of the Transatlantic Cable Foundation Board and members of the local community.
In his speech President Higgins said he is “very much in favour” of seeing Valentia recognised as one the most important sites in the world, in terms of the development of modern communications and technology.
He said that what happened in Valentia was such an important contribution to the development of communications and he gave his support those who are seeking recognition of the connection between Valentia and Heart’s Content as a UNESCO World Heritage Industrial Site. The President’s very significant milestone words of support were very well received by locals.
Campaigners believe that UNESCO recognition for Valentia would be of major benefit to the local community and to all of Kerry, by increasing hugely the area’s attraction to international visitors.
They now hope that the President’s remarks will help boost the island’s chances of being included on the list. “When you get support from the highest office in the land, you know you’re on the right track,” said Valentia’s Anthony O’Connell of the Transatlantic Cable Foundation Board.
Moira Morrell also spoke very favourably in favour of Valentia’s UNESCO status.
When the speeches concluded Mayor John Sheahan presented President Higgins with the book ‘ They Talk along the Deep’ by Donard De Cogan which outlines a global history of the Valentia Telegraph Cable.
The President then mingled among those in attendance as he enjoyed copious refreshments in their company. His departure was also heralded by bagpipe music. This was a big community effort in having everything right for such an auspicious occasion in Knightstown and well done to all who put their shoulders to the wheel to make for a memorable day for the Cable UNESCO endeavour and the future archives of the Cable Station and Valentia Island.