Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Holiday Hotspot – St John’s Newfoundland Canada
First discovered in 1497 St John’s on the Avalon Peninsula was first discovered by European explorers when John Cabot sailed into the harbour of modern-day Bonavista. Nowadays it is the capital, economic and cultural centre for Newfoundland and Labrador. The Irish migrations here represent the oldest and most enduring connections between Ireland and Canada peaking in the 1770’s and 1780’s when more than 100 ships and 5,000 men cleared Irish ports. The exodus from Ulster to America
was the most substantial movement across the Atlantic in the 18th century. Because of its rich past, St. John’s abounds with historic sites. Visit the setting for some of life’s most famous events, including Signal Hill Historic Site where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message in 1901. Adjacent is the Johnson GEO Centre & Titanic exhibition which features the geological history of the region. North America’s oldest surviving lighthouse at Cape Spear National Park is situated on the most easterly point of land looking across to Ireland. When you’re finished your tour of the cape, visit the picturesque fishing village of “Petty Harbour” ten minutes
■ The Narrow’s St John’s Harbour.
away. Government House” is located on Military Road the private home of Newfoundland’s lieutenant-governor. The 20-acre site was chosen by Sir Thomas Cochrane, the governor in office from 1825 to 1834, and the exterior is composed of red sandstone, quarried from Signal Hill. St. John’s also enjoys several museums and historic buildings, including a late 1800’s replica drug store called the James O’Mara Pharmacy Museum. The twin 43-metre-high towers of the 1850 Basilica of St. John the Baptist can be spotted from many parts of town on walkabout. While in St. John’s, enjoy long walks, seaside picnics and exceptional bird watching opportunities along the rocky beaches or jump onboard “Iceberg Quest’s” daily award winning whale and puffin watching boat tour. www.icebergquest.com. Just a short drive from the city is Quidi Vidi a charming and scenic village that’s easy to explore by foot. The new “Plantation” building here serves as both a focal point for visitors wishing to explore village history and an enterprise
KEE’S HOTEL LEISURE & WELLNESS CENTRE
(074) 9131018 incubator for the craftspeople who occupy its purpose-built studio space. www.destinationstjohns.com The annual Folk Festival will be held at Bannerman Park in August www. nlfolkfestival.com. George Street is the popular bar and club district. Whether you prefer to sit back and listen to a local live band or hit the clubs ■ Colour ful architectur e in St John’s to dance the night . away expect regular festivals & nightly entertanment. The street is also venue for an annual Mardi Street is living history having Gras celebration in October survived the 1892 Great Fire www.georgestreetlive.ca An www.bridiemolloys.ca The emerging foodie scene in St Sheraton Hotel with a picJohn’s has led to many fine ture perfect view of nearby dining choices including res- St John’s harbour, known as taurants like “Bacalao”. Set the “Narrows” is convenient in a heritage home, seating is to downtown shops and bouoffered in four rooms which tiques. Expect free Wi-Fi, an are warmly decorated with indoor swimming pool and local artwork and several a day spa. www.sheratonhofireplaces.Their ‘nouvelle cui- telnewfoundland.com West sine’, promises familiar fla- Jet offers daily early mornvours presented in innovative ing Dublin departures to St ways. www.bacalaocuisine. John’s up to October 24th. ca. For a more casual dining This non-stop flight is only experience Irish pub/restau- just over 4 hours out and rant “Celtic Hearth” on Water shorter on the return leg.
www.keeshotel.ie
Passengers using West Jet’s Plus seating will also enjoy more personal space and comfort. www.westjet.com Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism information is available at www.newfoundlandlabrador.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Citybeat & Q Radio Network in Northern Ireland. He is also Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe. com