Castlebar.News      
    From The West of Ireland
    Go to Castlebar | Photo Gallery | Castlebar Directory | Nostalgia Board
Nostalgia Last Updated: 11, Jun 2018 - 20:01


Mayo's Transatlantic Connections Recognised
By Michael Larkin
5, Jun 2018 - 21:39

Email this article
 Printer friendly page

American Conference for Irish Studies (A.C.I.S.) to recognise Co. Mayo's transatlantic connections.

On the weekend of June 15th - 17th, the President of the American Conference for Irish Studies, Prof. Timothy McMahon and Pittsburgh native Dr. Matthew O'Brien, Prof. of History, Steubenville University, will both make a very special visit to Co. Mayo, to acknowledge the journey undertaken by Thomas Larkin, as an excellent symbol of connectivity between the United States of America and Ireland.

Thomas Larkin, born in 1874, in the townland of Derrew, Ballyheane, was just one of the thousands of Irish immigrants, who hoped that the promised 'American Dream' would at least in part, become a reality, as he made his journey westwards to the 'New World.

When he first stepped onto American soil, little did he realise that in time, his future career pathway with the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania, would lead to him being acknowledged and recognised for his role in the delivery of the telephone network into the American Mid-West.

Following the invention of the telephone by Alexander G. Bell in 1876, there was much scepticism and doubt regarding its practical everyday use. Even President Rutherford B. Hayes stated "That's an amazing invention Mr. Bell, but who would ever want to use it?".

Thankfully, some of the memorabilia relating to Thomas Larkin's career with the Bell Telephone Company has survived, including the original declaration, conferring life membership of the Telephone Pioneers of America, presented at a ceremony in the AT&T Headquarters, New York. The engraved copper cup, with the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania insignia, is another artifact, bearing testament to a distinguished career.

Initially as a telephone lineman, and later in more senior management roles, Thomas Larkin ensured that many 'new connections' were created through the use of a new device, that was capable of transmitting the sound of a human voice over wires.

'Mayo - the Connected County' was a very apt theme selected by the Mayo Associations Worldwide for their conference in 2015. The recently installed transatlantic fibre optic cable, deemed to be the most modern of its kind in the world, linking the east coast of the U.S.A. to Killala, Co. Mayo, delivers transatlantic connectivity almost at the speed of light. In what has been termed 'a tapestry of connectivity uniquely connecting the past, present and future', this county can proudly claim the title 'Mayo - the Connected County'.

The A.C.I.S. is the largest, multidisciplinary organisation, dedicated to the field of Irish studies, in North America.
Prof. Matthew O'Brien, Pittsburgh, stated "in terms of Irish migration to the USA, the enormous role of our diaspora in the shaping of today's America, cannot be overstated. As a symbol of transatlantic connectivity, Thomas Larkin's journey across the Atlantic Ocean, is a wonderful illustration of Ireland's, and in this case, Co. Mayo's many unique and special connections with the United States of America".

mayoconnections.jpg
Mr. Michael E. Lamb, Controller of the city of Pittsburgh, accepts a handcrafted Mayo wooden harp from Michael Larkin, signifying the 'strings' of connectivity between Pittsburgh and Co Mayo.

Mr. Michael E. Lamb, Controller of the city of Pittsburgh, accepts a handcrafted Mayo wooden harp from Michael Larkin, signifying the 'strings' of connectivity between Pittsburgh and Co Mayo.




© Copyright 2018 by © Contributor(s) and Castlebar Web Pages 1997 - 2018

.. Top of Page


Nostalgia
Latest Headlines
Mayo's Secret Symbols
Inaugural Mayo History Conference
The Battle of Jadotville - Presentation in Castlebar
John J Hanley - aka The Baron of Broadway
Armistice Day in Castlebar
Mayo's Transatlantic Connectivity Recognised by American Professors.
Mayo's Transatlantic Connections Recognised
Seeking info on Matthew & Helena Finn
A 100 Year Anniversary
Remembering Musician Michael Tierney (Mick Melodeon)
Bog Plants - Their Medicinal Uses and Folklore
Index to Nostalgia Boards on Castlebar.ie
Races of Castlebar Re-Enactment
Illusionists, Magicians & Vanishing Ladies in the Town Hall...
The Inaugural Flight from Knock Airport
Remembering Castlebar International Song Contest
A History of Castlebar from 1600 - Present
When They Tried to Ban The ‘Waits' in Castlebar ...
Closing Date Extended to 4th December
Remembering 1916, Recording 2016
Cathal Duffy's 1960s
Remembering the Children of 1916
The Humbert Inn Reunion 2nd To 4th September 2016
Annual Partry Heritage Week
National Day of Commemoration
Commemoration Ceremony Marking the 1916 Rising
Commemoration at Frenchill
Easter Monday Commemoration
Seven Oaks for Seven Signatories
Terry Wogan at the Castlebar Song Contest 1977
Women & Rural Electrification of Ireland
Ballyheane - Past and Present
Official Launch: 101 Mayo People
Maureen O'Hara and Castlebar
Famine Victims Castlebar
General William J. Sewell
Turlough Duck Race, Heritage & Family Fun Day
MCC 1916-2016 Commemorations Workshop
Guided Walking Tours
A History of Mayo Constituencies
The Castlebar Coat of Arms
Castlebar Library Celebrates 25 Years
Mayo Library Tour
Victory Day Celebration
Lusitania – Castlebar Victims & Survivor
Archaeological Field Trip
Castlebar Connections of a Wartime Soldier
The Lucan Scroll
Ed Gilligan RIP
A Doorway Through Time Castlebar 1894 - 2015
Christmas at Mayo Peace Park 2014
Peace Park Event, Christmas Eve.
Winter Solstice Event
Quick Look At Castlebar History
A Silent Night 1914 - Commemoration
Charles Stewart Parnell and Castlebar
Boy Scouts from the 1970s
Main Street Reunion 2003
Sir Patrick Duffy
20 Years On – Riverdance & Its Origins in Mayo 5000
Passed By for 89 Years!
Grand Tournament & Military Fete, Castlebar, 12 July 1914
Remembering 1798
Partry Heritage Week 2014
Old IRA at Lecanvey
100 Years of the Red Cross in Castlebar
Castlebar UDC Sons Go to War
Day on the Bog
Library Great War Exhibition
Bonamh Market & Heritage Day
Recruiting for the Great War in Mayo
Canton Hall Athenry
Four Sisters from Larmenier School
WW1 Centenary
Ballylahan Castle
Mayo World War One Commemorations
History Tours
The Great Western Railway
Vintage Mall
The Lahardane Titanic Memorial
70th Anniversary of D-Day
The End of the Line
The 1798 Memorial
Photos from the Launch of 'Castlebar's Municipal Government 1613-2014'
Peace Park WW1 Centenary Concert
Centenary Concert
Easter Events at Clogher Heritage
Taoiseach to launch A History of Castlebar
Initiation
Many Dignitaries Expected For Brennan Unveiling
Brennan UK Exhibition
Final Tribute To Castlebar Inventor
Delia Garvey and Paddy Jordan
Sir Patrick Quinn - Famous Detective
Castlebar Annual Parish Magazine 2013
Irish Volunteers Exhibition
Oldport to Newport
Youth Club in the 1970s
Mayo!
Ship Wrecked Here 1588