The President was on Valentia Island, to visit the Valentia Transatlantic Cable Station.
160 years ago, the first Transatlantic Cable connecting Europe with North America was laid. The telegraph cable joined Valentia Harbour in Ireland with Trinity Bay in Newfoundland.
The idea of a transatlantic cable was first proposed in 1845, and after several failed attempts to construct a transatlantic cable, the Transatlantic Cable Station in Valentia operated successfully from 1866 until 1966.
The Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation is working to have the Transatlantic Cable designated as a UNESCO World Heritage project. In his address, the President expressed his support for this initiative.
President visits Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation
location: Knightstown, Valentia Island, Kerry
