Returning to The Blasket Islands, Co. Kerry, Ireland 1985

Some former Blasket residents return to the island where only the ruins of their homes remain.
Former island inhabitants recall their memories of life on the Blaskets off the coast of County Kerry.
The view of the Blaskets from the mainland at Dun Chaoin is the final view for many islanders who have left the islands to emigrate to America.
In 1905 John Millington Synge visited the Blaskets described the Great Blasket as
An island which seemed to rise like a mountain straight out of the sea.
The village on the east side of the island winds its way up towards the brow of the hill and is now deserted with the now abandoned houses built by the Congested Districts Board in 1909. The only cultivated part of the island stretches away from the village to the right.
Each of the fields has its own name.
English scholar Robin Flower described the village
The old houses huddled together on the broken hill slope over the cliffs thrown down without system wherever a convenient site offered itself. The steep little tracks run hither and tither between them.
Island native Tomás O’Crohan gives an earlier picture describing the hastily built houses.
An Dáil, the house of Máire Ní Scanláin was where many of the young people of the island gathered each evening for recreation, music, storytelling and song. One woman recalls her memories of the house as a youngster on the island.
Close to An Dáil was one of the village wells, where many islanders gathered particularly the women.
Fisherman Seán O’Cathain recalls a happy childhood on the island as one of ten children who are now dispersed in America, England and on the Kerry mainland.
Now they’re all gone - and nettles grow wild where we lived.
Another islander was Sean Mhaidhc Lean O Guithin, grandson of Padraig O’Crohan who was known as Rí an Oileann, King of the island. Sean Mhaidhc lived on the island until the age of eleven when the family was transferred off the island.
When John Millington Synge visited the Blaskets in September 1905, he stayed at the King’s house. While there, Synge observed closely all aspects of island life and also documented in his visit in the form of a series of photographs. The island and its people also inspired the characters and story in his work ‘The Playboy of the Western World’. He also wrote a poem about the King’s daughter.
You’ve plucked a curlew, drawn a hen,
Washed the shirts of seven men,
You’ve stuffed my pillow, stretched the sheet,
And filled the pan to wash your feet.
‘Another Island: Oilean Eile’ was broadcast on 6 January 1985. The narrator is Kieron Moore.

[@philodowd8080]

The most emotional Island i ever stayed on ❤

[@carmelhegarty9829]

From- Co.Mayo. Ireland in all its splendor , the green field's bathed and Blessed by The ALMIGHTY CREATOR. Thank you CRS. 🙏🇮🇪🙏

[@jaws6869]

For anyone interested what life was really like on the Blasket island back in the day i would recommend a book called "twenty years a growing ". An unforgettable read imo.

[@davidmiller1550]

also Tomas O'Crohan's "The Islandman," and "Island Cross-Tallk;" and "The Western Island" by Robin Flower.

[@Titahood4life]

How beautiful the story and listening to the language mahalo nunui loaaaa

[@ned900]

Beautiful voice.

[@stevenross-watt8640]

Lovely sight into the past.

[@mikesands4681]

A nice vignette.

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

Ireland and the Irish people hold a beauty that can be found in any other country in the world, If you don't believe me then ask Phil Lynott the greatest rocking point of all time

[@katwalkable]

James..am of ScotsEnglishIrish descent here in California.. loved this..but what's a rocking point and who's Phil Lynott?

[@DJ_Sniffles]

​@katwalkable frontman of the classic Thin Lizzy should check them out great music, great artists and great guy :)

[@purplepanther2771]

"Going back fifty years, who could tell what life would hold?" You could say that about fifty *days* now.

[@roymunson1]

Its strange how his posh accent even sounds posh in irish despite pronouncing the words perfectly.

[@seandelap8587]

Hopefully they can be inhabited again by Irish people in the not too distant future

[@hilltop521]

I never visited the island just wondering was there any place sheltered in order they would b protected from the storms I note no trees

[@envueltoenplastico]

The village is on the east of the island, this would have been the most sheltered part. I'd imagine the rest of the island is way too exposed, and it's very steep and hilly. Going there for the first time this weekend. Beyond excited about this, been waiting a long time.

[@damienholden2132]

Garhry hoblin❤