Almost 100 Newfoundlanders from the southern Avalon region will celebrate their cultural connections with Ireland at the Ireland Newfoundland Festival of the Sea. The festival will be centered around three conferences held at host communities in Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny counties from June 22-29.

"This is the third annual Ireland Newfoundland Festival of the Sea which alternates between the Avalon region of Newfoundland and the southeast region of Ireland," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural and Development and Minister Responsible for the Ireland Business Partnerships. "The festival is designed to celebrate the cultural, community, educational and environmental links between our province and Ireland."

"This festival will allow the people of Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador to share ideas and collaborate in tourism and community economic development initiatives," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism and Culture.

Minister Hedderson, who will accompany the province�s delegation, will speak at the opening ceremonies of the Fisheries Conference in Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, on June 22. This conference will emphasize the importance of coastal communities, fisheries management, and the creation of new economic opportunities based on a rich marine heritage and culture.

At the Community Economic Development Conference at Dunhill, County Waterford, Barry Snow, executive director of Ireland Business Partnerships for the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, will present an overview of provincial and federal funding programs available for community economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador. There will also be presentations on a community tourism project, a community education project, and a community geology project with presenters from Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Historical Links Conference on June 29 at Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny will focus on the historical links between the province and Ireland with papers delivered by Irish and Newfoundland speakers. Part of the theme of the conference is: How to Make History Pay. Newfoundland participants include Cathy Careen, who has written a community history of Point Lance; Bride Martin, who has written a community history of St. Vincent�s; and Kit Ward, who has written a community history of Portugal Cove South and Cape Race.

"Ireland has a similar geography and similar rural and social issues to Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Taylor. "There is much for us to share and learn at a conference such as this. I am pleased that my department has been able to help sponsor this conference. I also congratulate the Irish Loop and Avalon Gateway regional economic development boards who hosted last year�s Festival of the Sea event in Newfoundland and Labrador, and who are taking a lead role in this year�s events in Ireland."

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