Blue Heritage Plaque unveiled for 'Waterfordian' John Kent
Marc Ó Cathasaigh, Dr, Eugene Broderick, Waterford Civic Trust and Canadian Ambassador to Ireland HE Nancy Smyth, Mayor Cllr Joe Conway and Senator John Cummins, at Hanover Street. All Photos: Joe Evans
Waterford Civic Trust have unveiled the new Blue Heritage Plaque in honour of John Kent, the second premier of Newfoundland.
A crowd gathered on Hanover Street for the unveiling of the plaque, and among the attendees were the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, HE Nancy Smyth, Mayor of Waterford City and County Council Joe Conway and TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh.
Dr Eugene Broderick spoke at the unveiling, saying: "The important aspect of our history, one which we should not forget, is the social, cultural, political and economic links between Waterford, the wider South East region and Newfoundland.
"There has been an Irish presence in Newfoundland since the late 17th century, young men and women went to work on the rich cod fisheries on that distant Atlantic island for the most basic of reasons: to make a living."
He added: "More than 90% of all the migrants and immigrants to Newfoundland came from within a 40km radius of Waterford City."
Mayor Conway praised Waterford Civic Trust for their work.
"It is a joy to do the Blue Plaques because they are are so prominent and they enrich our street furniture and our streetscapes and our sense of heritage."
Mayor Conway noted that early life and education in Waterford would have endowed the young Kent with "traits of character, traits of humanity and singlemindedness."
Ambassador Smyth took to the stand and praised the team behind the plaque and SETU for their work.
She said: "I'm grateful for the Centre for Newfoundland and Labrador Studies, the work that you've done to help advance the understanding of the Canadian connections that are there."
