Conche, Newfoundland and Labrador
| Conche | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
  Conche Location of Conche in Newfoundland | |
| Coordinates: 50°54′N 55°54′W / 50.900°N 55.900°W | |
| Country |
 Canada |
| Province |
 Newfoundland and Labrador |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 225 |
| Time zone | Newfoundland Time (UTC-3:30) |
| • Summer (DST) | Newfoundland Daylight (UTC-2:30) |
| Area code(s) | 709 |
| Website | Conche home page |
Conche is a community with on the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The population in 2006 was 225.
The Community
Conche is a small fishing outport on the North East tip of Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula. Its residents are chiefly Irish Catholic, with a few exceptions. The children there (about 16[1]) attend Sacred Heart All-Grade School, and several over-achieving sports teams have come out of the community, including provincial gold medal winners in softball and broom ball and a gold performance in volleyball in recent years.
Conche is found on a small peninsula and has a deep harbour that runs the length of the community. In the spring and summer icebergs float through the harbour and maroon there, providing a beautiful spectacle. Whales also frequent the harbour.
For many years, Conche suffered from harsh isolation. Boat and dog-sled remained the best means of transportation for a long time. In 1960, a nursing station was established to serve the community and in the 1970s a highway was built connecting the town with Route 430 the rest of the country. In 2014 the two main roads within the town were paved.
The people of Conche are mainly of Irish descent and heavily enjoy Irish music.[2] Residents of Conche are noted for their musical prowess, with most parties including singing and guitar playing.
A notable plane crash once occurred in Conche and the strewn remains of the crash still remain as large tourist attraction.
Many people who now reside in Conche are former residents of the Grey Islands who were forced to move their homes and families during the resettlement period.
A recent effort is being made by Conche to market itself as a tourist destination. The French Shore Historical Society, working with the community, has installed a museum there, marking the culture and long past of the settlement, first inhabited by migratory French fishermen. Today the museum houses the French Shore Tapestry, a 222ft long embroidery depicting the history of the French Shore of Newfoundland. There are many trails and geological marvels for visitors to see including the Glass Hole.
Recent efforts by the community have seen the construction of a playground and the restoration of Conche’s wooden lighthouse.
Today Conche is a very vibrant community with a sustainable Fish Plant that employs many of the people from the surrounding area.
Conche is home to many notable Newfoundlanders, including musicians Daniel Carroll, Christina Gardiner, Mary Foley, and Michael Symmonds; and writers Austin Dower, and Toni Kearney.
Conche was also the feature of author and photographer Candace Cochrane's hugely successful book, Outport: The Soul of Newfoundland.
References
- ↑ "Enrolment Statistics from Community Accounts". Retrieved 2009-07-23.
- ↑ "Conche Info". Retrieved 2009-07-03.