Time in Twillingate

Twillingate is a town of approx. 2300 people located on the Twillingate Islands in Notre Dame Bay.  It was an historic fishing community, but because of the decline of the fishing industry, its economy now relies more on tourism.

Twillingate is known as the “Iceberg Capital of the World” because of the many icebergs that flow past its shores in spring and early summer.  No icebergs to be seen now, in August, but still a love, peaceful place to hang out in for a couple of days.

At one time, Twillingate was known as “Toulinquet”.  It was so named by the French because its appearance was so much like that of a group of islands by that name off the coast of France, near Brest.  In the early 1700’s, Toulinquet soon became Twillingate to the English settlers who could not speak or read the French language.

Long Point Lighthouse is one of the most photographed landmarks on the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland.  More than 300 feet above sea level, this is a lookout point to enjoy the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean with the possibility of viewing icebergs, whales, seals and sea birds.  It was built in 1876 and once operated by several full-time lighthouse keepers, it guided ships to safety on foggy and stormy nights.  Today the lighthouse is still operational but is now operated by only one lighthouse keeper year-round.

As seen from out in the ocean (on a boat)

Truly spectacular views

And speaking of whales - going on another whale watching boat trip seemed like a good thing to do!

St Peter’s Anglican Church is one of the oldest wooden church still in existence in Newfoundland.  The main portion of the church was erected in 1842 and the tower was completed in 1844.

St. Peter’s Church Parish Hall

Georgina Ann Stirling (1866-1935) was a Newfoundland opera singer, known by her stage name Marie Toulinque.  Born in Twillingate, she became a world-renowned prima donna soprano who played in opera houses throughout Europe and the United States.  She was Newfoundland’s first opera singer and became known as ”The Nightingale of the North”.

“The Split Peas” is a local Twillingate music group that has been performing together for 22 years.  The group is made up of seven women who bring the feel of a Newfoundland kitchen party to the stage during the summer.  Their concert was most definitely lots of fun!

Yes, she is holding a giant fly-swatted, equipped with a fly

Playing the ‘ugly stick’ - a homemade musical instrument

Mummering is a Christmas time house-visiting tradition practiced in Newfoundland and Labrador and in isolated patches of Ireland.  Also known as mumming or janneying, it typically involves a group of friends or family who dress in disguise and visit homes within their community during the twelve days of Christmas.  If the mummers are welcomed into a house, they often do a variety of informal performances that may include dance, music, jokes, or recitations.  The hosts must guess the mummers’ identities before offering them food or drink.  They may poke and prod the mummers or aks them questions.  To make this a challenge for the hosts, the mummers may stuff their costumes or speak while disguising their voices.  Once the mummers have been identified, they remove their disguises, spend some social time with the hosts, and then travel as a group to the next home.