Broadband brings history alive for united relatives in Beara and Montana

TWO rural communities on opposite sides of the Atlantic with historic mining links were united last night at the launch of a new broadband system in West Cork.

Families in Castletownbere who have never seen their relations in Butte, Montana, spoke with them by live video conference during simultaneous events in each town.

Up to 150 people packed into the Bord Iascaigh Mhara regional training centre in Castletownbere. They watched as members of the local Sullivan, Harrington, Murphy and Quill families spoke to their second cousins of the same name who were sitting with just over 100 people in a room in Montana Tech University.

The relations had been in contact by letter and phone, but this was the first time they had seen them.

The event was organised to mark the launch by eircom of its broadband service in Castletownbere.

Beara Tourism treasurer Jim O’Sullivan said it was the first of many planned video conferences between both towns.

“Broadband in an area like this is of huge importance,” he said.

Between 1880 and 1940, thousands of miners left Castletownbere when its mining industry failed to work in the mines in Butte.

Mr O’Sullivan said the cemeteries in Butte were full of people with West Cork names. Many of the town’s shops are also named after West Cork families.

Last night’s event started with a message from President Mary McAleese which was recorded two weeks ago during her visit to Butte.

She spoke of the strong Irish connections in Butte.

Discussions followed between representatives of the World Mining Museum in Butte and members of the Allihies Co-Op Mining Project.

It is hoped artefacts from the Butte museum will go in display in West Cork soon.

Talks also took place between the Butte Historical Society and the Beara Historical Society, and between Butte tourism officials and the Beara Tourism and Development Association.

It is hoped more people from Montana will come to Beara to trace their relations.

Beara Tourism secured 20% funding from Department of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources to upgrade the town’s phone exchange to cater for broadband.

An eircom spokesman said more than 435 communities — 85% of the population — now have access to broadband.

Packages start from €19.99 per month for 20 hours of broadband up to €29.99 per month for always-on broadband. Details from www.eircom.ie.