Where - and who we are - and how to get here.
Where we are.
Calvert (47° 03´N - 52° 55´W) is a small fishing settlement on the east coast of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is located about 72 kilometres (45 miles) south of St. John's city, our historic provincial capital. The settlement is a leisurely one-hour drive from St. John's, south on Route 10, along the straight shore known locally as the Southern Shore. Calvert and the other settlements along Route 10, along with those of the inter-connecting Route 90 further south, form the scenic "Irish Loop". A tour of the Irish Loop, travelling south from St. John's, will take you through a variety of centuries-old fishing settlements, with access to regional museums, historical archaeological sites, ecological reserves, provincial parks, and the habitat of a caribou herd. As the name loop suggests, the northern end of Route 90 meets the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) and a 40-minute drive east along Route 1 completes the loop back to St. John's.
Who we are.
The ethnic origins of the residents along the Irish Loop lie primarily in the southeastern counties of Ireland and the shires/counties of the southwestern peninsula of England, often referred to as the West Country. We are the descendants of the men and women who came here centuries ago to work in the fishing industry. The predominance of Irish ancestry is evident in our physical features and the strong brogue that attests to the fact that you have entered the Irish heartland of eastern Newfoundland. Although the Irish (Gaeilge) language, once common to this area, is now lost into the distant past, you can still hear a few Irish words used in everyday conversation. Irish wit and the Irish "turn of phrase" have survived here as well. A jovial "You're lost now, aren't ya"? from an Irish Newfoundlander, as he/she watches you fumble with your map, translates to " Do you need directions?" With an accent, very much akin to that of Co. Waterford, Ireland, this area could easily be dubbed as Ireland's thirty-third county. People are friendly and helpful, and although the directions you are given may be interlaced with local landmarks and idioms, rest assured they are given freely, with the best of intentions.
How to get here - by air.
The nearest airport to Calvert is at St. John's, Newfoundland. Regular air service is available between various points in Newfoundland and Labrador, with connections to/from major centres in other parts of Canada and the United States. St. John's is also an international airport with connections to/from many countries around the world, mainly through Montreal and Toronto. Subject to the whims and economics of airline carriers, at times there are some direct flights provided to/from Dublin, Ireland and London, England. Otherwise, travel west to Montreal and Toronto is required to catch interconnecting overseas flights to these British Isles destinations. There are also regular scheduled flights to/from the island of St. Pierre, a French possession just off the province's south coast.
How to get here - by land (and sea).
Since the Newfoundland portion of our province is an island, it is necessary to use ferry services to reach here by vehicle, from the Canadian mainland. Marine Atlantic's modern car ferries provide year-round connections from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques in southwestern Newfoundland. The Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) continues at this point and crosses Newfoundland to St. John's, a distance of approximately 905 kilometres (562 miles). Throughout the summer, ferry service is also provided from North Sydney to Argentia in southeastern Newfoundland, greatly reducing driving time, leaving you with about an hour and a half trip to St. John's.
Information Links:
For more detailed travel and historical information, explore the links listed below.
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.