The Latin-sounding name of the island is an anglicized version of the Irish Béal Inse, which means “the mouth of the island”, a reference to the harbour entrance of Valentia. The Irish name of the island itself is Oileán Dairbhre, which means “island of oaks”.
Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, the island is 11 km long and 3 km wide, just under 26 square kilometers in size. The island is connected by a bridge to Portmagee and in the summer months by a ferry from Reenard Point to Knightstown.
One of the highlights was the successful laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable, which connected the old and new worlds. Over 150 years ago, the cable between Valentia Island and Heart's Content in Newfoundland made it possible to send messages across the Atlantic in minutes that had previously taken weeks by ship.
Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, the island is 11 km long and 3 km wide, just under 26 square kilometers in size. The island is connected by a bridge to Portmagee and in the summer months by a ferry from Reenard Point to Knightstown.
One of the highlights was the successful laying of the transatlantic telegraph cable, which connected the old and new worlds. Over 150 years ago, the cable between Valentia Island and Heart's Content in Newfoundland made it possible to send messages across the Atlantic in minutes that had previously taken weeks by ship.
