Civic Trust honours historic 'Waterfordian' 

Waterford Civic Society are unveiling a new plaque that commemorates the Déise's historic links to Canada, namely Newfoundland.

On Thursday, May 23, at 3.30pm, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland HE Nancy Smyth will unveil the Waterford Civic Trust Heritage Blue Plaque on Hanover Street, Waterford City. 

The plaque pays tribute to Waterford-born John Kent, who was the second ever Premier of Newfoundland between 1858-1861.

John Kent was born in Waterford in 1805, and arrived in Newfoundland in 1820. 

'Waterfordians' 

Since the end of the 17th century, Irish people emigrated to the territory seeking work and a better life, mainly in the fishing industries.

In the 19th century, writer Henry Winton noted about the makeup of Newfoundland: "Friars from Waterford hold the bishopric of St. John’s... All the leaders of parliament are Waterfordians... Newfoundland is merely Waterford parted from the sea."

According to the Trust: "The Irish language persisted in some considerable strength throughout the whole of the eighteenth and into the beginning of the nineteenth century. A most distinctive feature of the island is the accent of many of its inhabitants – unmistakably Irish with strong hints of Ballybricken!"

Kent's time in office was a tumultuous one, caught between a downturn in the local fishery economy and a fraught relationship with the Catholic bishop, which did not endear him to fellow Irish-American citizens. Kent was dismissed by the British Ambassador of Newfoundland in 1861. He passed away in his sleep September 1872, survived by his wife and two (at least) children.

The Trust said in a statement: "In honouring Kent, the deep ties between Waterford and Newfoundland are also remembered and celebrated."