Tales of the ships that laid Waterville’s cables off the Kerry coast will be told during several special events planned for Heritage Week 2026 this month.
Friends of Waterville Cable Station are organising two special events on Saturday, August 22nd. The first is a talk entitled "Fathoms Deep" in Tech Amergin Further Education and Training Centre, Waterville.
The second event is entitled “A Guided Stroll Through Time around Waterville Cable Station”. In "Fathoms Deep", Dorothy and Amy Rudd will share tales of the cable ships that laid Waterville’s cables and completed cable repairs often in treacherous conditions.
These vessels included the CS Faraday, a purpose-built cable ship for Siemens Brothers, launched in 1874. It was contracted to lay the early Commercial Cable Company transatlantic cables, including the initial two cables between Canso and Waterville in 1884 and the third cable in 1894.
The events celebrate the role of the cable ships, which transformed global communication and placed Waterville at the heart of Commercial Cable Company’s network. On the tour, Dorothy Rudd will also share her personal reflections on growing up in Waterville Cable Station. Visitors will have time to explore the permanent exhibition, “The Story of Waterville Cable Station”.
National Heritage Week is Ireland’s largest festival, with over 2,000 events taking place annually and attracting almost 400,000 people. Over 40 events will be taking place in Kerry.
Friends of Waterville Cable Station runs events annually with a different focus while advocating for the preservation and recognition of Waterville Cable Station's unique heritage. The group also aims to highlight the history of Waterville's role in global telecommunications.
“This year’s Heritage Week theme is Heritage at Risk -which has been at the core of Friends of Waterville Cable Station for the last 25 years,” Dorothy Rudd, chairperson of Friends of Waterville Cable Station, said. “Each year we enjoy sharing the heritage with visitors and locals alike,” she said.
The events are open to all, and advance booking is recommended via the links below, as there are limited spaces on the guided stroll.
Fathoms Deep! Ships and stories behind Waterville's cable heritage | National Heritage Week 15th – 23rd August 2026
A Guided Stroll Through Time Around Waterville Cable Station | National Heritage Week 15th – 23rd August 2026
