Era when Valentia island was hub of communication in Western World to be celebrated

The successful laying 150 years ago of the undersea cable connecting the old world of Europe with the new world of America is being celebrated this week on Valentia Island.

Before 1866, it took two weeks to send a message to America — afterwards, it was instantaneous.

From her home on the Isle of Wight, Queen Victoria sent a message of congratulations to the President of the United States, the world’s press gathered, and for the next 100 years, south Kerry was a world hub of engineering, technical, and telegraphic skills.