Connection

“Connection”, a commemorative piece made from native stone, represents the first successful transatlantic cable laid in 1866, establishing a permanent communication link between Europe and North America. Carved from native stone this marine bollard serves as a monument to the first physical connection between the two continents in 200 million years. Prior to the cable’s laying it would take at least two weeks for information to travel between the New World and the Old. The transatlantic cable made a huge impact on the world during a time when these two small coastal communities served as entryways for news of major world events.

 At the time of the cable’s laying, Ireland and Newfoundland were still parts of the British Empire; while Newfoundland had a devolved local government it was still technically a colony, and Ireland had lost any form of home rule after the Acts of Union in 1800. The British monopoly over the new form of transatlantic communication would be akin to one nation controlling the internet today. 

“Connection” represents the bond between Ireland and Newfoundland made possible by the cable. Identical bollards stand on each side of the Atlantic, outside the Cable Stations that communicated with each other for almost 100 years.

Padraig Tarrant carefully composed this design, incorporating the maritime tradition of each town, the physical aspect of the cable, and the history of migration between both continents. The artist designed both of the bollards in native stone as an extension of the surrounding landscape. The cable that loops around the bollard and extends into the ground is a salvaged piece of the original cable.

“As an Irish immigrant, I feel a connection to these monuments as they are symbolic of the cultural duality in my life. It is more than just a cable…it is about people. It is a great honor for me to produce this monument on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Tarrant.