Plaques mark cable stations

Plaques were unveiled at the sites of three former cable stations in south-west Kerry yesterday, to mark their pioneering role…

Plaques were unveiled at the sites of three former cable stations in south-west Kerry yesterday, to mark their pioneering role in world telecommunications, by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Plaques were unveiled at Valentia Island, Waterville and Ballinskelligs to commemorate the links established in 1866 between the Iveragh peninsula and Hearts Content in Newfoundland. The transatlantic cables enabled the first communication between two continents.

The cable stations on Valentia remained in operation for over a century. Waterville closed in 1962, preceded by Ballinskelligs in 1922.