The Blasket Islands

The islands

The Blasket Islands sit off the south coast of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. The group includes the Great Blasket, known as Bleasca Mór, and the smaller Little Blasket. A short boat ride from Derrynane brings you to the landing point. For most of the twentieth century, a small community of fishermen and their families lived here. Their story is one of the great narratives of modern Ireland.

The last islanders left in 1953. The remaining families were evacuated to the mainland that year. Peig Sayers, who grew up on the islands, later told the story in her memoir, An tOileán Mór (The Great Blasket Island). That book kept the Blaskets in the national imagination for decades. The last resident, Tomás Ó Cúllinn, died in 1978. The islands are now a protected nature reserve and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

What is there now

The islands are a bird place. The cliffs are covered in seabirds, including gannets, puffins, razorbills, and kittiwakes. These colonies are among the largest in the country. Seals are often seen in the water nearby. The light on a summer evening is striking. When the sun goes down over the Atlantic, the islands glow. It is one of the best things you will see on this coast.

A small visitor facility exists on the Great Blasket. The islands are a short walk from the landing point. The path is rough in places. The weather is quick, but the place is easy to visit in calm conditions.

When to go

Late summer offers the best light. The birds are nesting during this time, and the days are long. Winter gales make the islands look their most dramatic. A clear day from Derrynane provides a good view in its own right.

Practical

Visits are by boat only from the mainland. The boat runs in suitable weather. The schedule depends on the sea state, so check the current service before you plan a trip. There are no facilities on the islands beyond the small visitor area. The ground is rough. Allow a few hours for the visit.