Contemporary Relations

For 150 years, between the 1840’s to the 1980’s, exchanges between Ireland and Newfoundland were minimal.  The economies and cultures of Newfoundland and Ireland grew independently of each other.

Jeanie Johnston in St. John's harbourIn 1980, Irish folklorist Aidan O’Hara worked with Radhrac Films to produce a series of documentaries on the Irish culture in Newfoundland. These documentaries aired on RTE and sparked a new Irish interest in the island on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean.

When travelling to Newfoundland as a young adult, former Taoiseach John Bruton was captivated by the Irishness of Newfoundland.  In 1996, as Taoiseach, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the then Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin, thus committing the two governments to renewing the Ireland-Newfoundland relationship. Executive Offices, established in both Dublin and St. John's (the INP and the IBP respectively), were charged with developing this relationship.

Since 1996 a large variety of exchanges have taken place, with people and their ideas criss-crossing the Atlantic. These projects include:

  • In the cultural area: concerts, festivals, films, art exhibitions, theatrical plays, poetry books and radio documentaries. 
  • In the business area: trade missions, joint ventures, collaborative research and direct sales.
  • In the education area: student exchanges, joint curriculum development, student scholarships and academic research. 

A full list of projects supported by the INP can be found under the Projects section of this website.

 

A Few Examples of Modern Day Activities

  • Talamh an Eisc exhibition at The Rooms Musuem in St. John's. This permanent exhibition tells the story of the Irish migration to Newfoundland and their impact on local customs, politics and economy.  The opening ceremonies feature on RTE Nationwide.  To view the clip, visit: http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1118/nationwide.html

  • Festival of the Sea is a annual cultural and community exchange that alternates between the Southeast of Ireland and the Southern Avalon of Newfoundland. The clip below is a radio documentary recorded in 2006. Further details on Festival of the Sea 2009 are available on www.festivalofthesea.ca.

  • North Atlantic Petroleum Systems Assessment group  is a research group that brings together government, industy and academia interested in offshore petroleum development from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.  Click here to learn more.

 

  • Battered Cod is a modern dance documentary about Newfoundland written and performed by Waterford Youth Drama.  Click here to view the film.

 

  • Centre for Newfoundland Studies at the Waterford Institute of Technology encourages student and academic exchanges with Newfoundland institutions, and offers research resources. Click here to learn more.

 

 

Festival of the Sea Conference 2007