- The Cobh Heritage Centre hosted His Excellency Cleviston Haynes, the first Ambassador of Barbados to Ireland
- The Ambassador was accompanied by Kevin Farmer of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society
- The visit created an opportunity for professional exchange between the two institutions
- The Cobh Heritage Centre preserves stories of Irish migration including links to Barbados
- The centre features exhibits on The Abraham which sailed from Kinsale in 1636
The Cobh Heritage Centre hosted a historic diplomatic visit as His Excellency Cleviston Haynes, the first Ambassador of Barbados to Ireland, paid an official visit to the centre. Ambassador Haynes was accompanied by Kevin Farmer, Director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society. The visit created an opportunity for professional exchange between the two institutions dedicated to preserving and interpreting historical narratives.
The Cobh Heritage Centre preserves the stories of Irish migration across the globe and the diverse destinations reached by Irish emigrants. Barbados occupies a unique place within that story, reflecting early links between Ireland and the Caribbean. For over three centuries the Port of Cork including Cobh served as one of Ireland’s principal gateways to the world. Between the 17th and 20th centuries approximately 27pc of all Irish emigrants departed through the port.
Within the centre’s exhibitions are displays telling the story of The Abraham which sailed from Kinsale in 1636 carrying what is believed to be the first recorded group of involuntary Irish indentured servants. Originally bound for Virginia, the ship was diverted to Barbados. The centre also features exhibits based on the writings of Richard Ligon whose 1673 account of Barbados provides a contemporary record of life on the island.
