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Valentia Cable: "It was a huge risk they took"

Ivan speaks to Leonard Hobbs, Chairman of the Transatlantic Cable Foundation about the campaign for UNESCO heritage site status

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17.56 24 Jul 2019


Valentia Cable: "It was a huge risk they took"


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Share this article

17.56 24 Jul 2019


160 years ago, the very first telegram was sent from Valentia Island in Kerry to Heart's Content in Newfoundland by Queen Victoria who sent a note of congratulations to President Buchanan of the United States.

 The 98 word message took 16 hours to transmit, and the President response of 143 words was sent in just 10 hours.

And now, the ambition is to pursue UNESCO World Heritage status for Valentia’s cable station.

Leonard Hobbs, Chairman of the Transatlantic Cable Foundation, joined Ivan to tell the story of the cable station and what they want to happen next.


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Kerry Telegram UNESCO World Heritage Valentia Island

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