Ferryland - Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

A red lighthouse stands atop a grassy hill under a clear blue sky. Two small figures walk nearby, emphasizing the structure's height and the expanse of the landscape. Rocks are scattered across the foreground.

Welcome to

Ferryland

Abstract beige brushstroke on a black background with an orange map marker icon placed on the right side.

The Irish heart of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Colony of Avalon

Lighthouse

Other Attractions

Plan & Book

There's a distinct Irish feel here, and with good reason. The Irish came to dominate this shore – first as summer workers for fish merchants, then as permanent settlers throughout the 18th century. Today, this area is known as the Irish heart of Newfoundland and Labrador. The traditions, attitudes, music, and even the accents continue to thrive here.

A group of people sit around a wooden table in a rustic room with a large stone fireplace. A person dressed in historical attire stands in front of them, smiling and engaging in conversation. The room is warmly lit and decorated with period items.

Visit the

Colony of Avalon

This is where George Calvert, better known as Lord Baltimore, founded the Colony of Avalon in 1621. Baltimore stayed only a few years before transferring his energies into another colony in Maryland (you might be able to guess the name).
Today, you can peer over the shoulders of working archaeologists as they uncover the foundations of houses and a cobblestone street built in the 17th century. And you can view some of the thousands of artifacts at the interpretation centre.

A picnic basket on a plaid blanket contains two jars of lemonade with straws, several sandwiches, and two bowls of coleslaw. Nearby, there is a newspaper. The setting is a grassy outdoor area.

Experience the

Lighthouse

At nearby Ferryland Head is the town's famous lighthouse. Built in 1870, and automated a century later, the restored lighthouse is a 25-minute hike along a gravel-walking trail from the Colony of Avalon. This spot is home to Lighthouse Picnics, which has been listed in Where to Eat in Canada for more than a decade. Nestle down in the lush grass with a delicious picnic of homemade delicacies served with fresh lemonade, and watch for whales, seabirds, and icebergs to pass by.

Broken pieces of a ceramic plate with blue floral patterns are arranged on a white surface. The design features intricate flowers and leaves, and the glaze shows signs of wear and aging.

Explore

Other Attractions

Ferryland regularly hosts summer musical events and dinner theatre productions with a strong local flavour – and no shortage of the famed Irish wit. The annual Shamrock Folk Festival is one of the top Irish / Newfoundland music festivals in the province. The town's museum is housed in the old courthouse – complete with a couple of holding cells – where you can discover many of the legends and characters of Ferryland history. The East Coast Trail has an entry point in Ferryland where you can head out on an easy 5km hike to Calvert along the Caplin Bay Path. Or choose one of the other hikes along 300km of developed trails.