The Last of the Blasket People.wmv

Another video to help students about the Blasket islands for Migration Impact in A2 Geography - this one deals with the impact of the people having to leave the Blasket islands in 1953.

[@johnoshea574]

Notice how happy and content the Island People are in this film. Hearing the old Irish Gaelic spoken so fluently is beautiful. Island People by nature are great survivors and hard work was a way of Life, it had to be for survival. This film is beautiful.

[@patkeeler6645]

Mine come from north Ireland name Keeler. Had rough life in 🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@michellebyrom6551]

That kind of hard work keeps you fit and active. Working with people you know well like that makes the work run more smoothly too. Having to grow your own forage for your food is better in community than alone. Doing everything by yourself is very hard. I agree on hearing the language flow so naturally. Those who have it as a second language tend to be halting even when considered fluent. This is a great teaching resource for that alone. I was brought up in rough built 2 up 2 down mill town terrace in Lancashire. No bathroom but we did have running hot water and electricity. So no romanticism here about the old living conditions. I have a friend who has always lived in the same village on the Donegal Atlantic coast. Seeing her very modern life with its continuation of the old culture makes me sad that the Blasket Islanders weren't able to be supported in remaining there. Difficult times then for the Irish economy. Difficult decisions had to be taken to survive. Best not to get into the appalling international politics here. Glad to find this circulating on the Internet for future generations. Good luck.

[@mickbrod1]

I was born on the west coast of Ireland many year ago & up to now I I thought I had a hard life as a young boy picking potatoes for farmers plucking turkeys for meat exporters caddying for rich golfers wishing for a bag of clubs on each shoulder . but after seeing this video I now I know I lived the life of a prince the blasket people were made of granite.i now live the life of a softie in England compared to what they endured I cant understand the low thumbs up.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

I admire cultures where people are self-sufficient. They know how to make a variety of things and appreciate the beauty of simplicity. They take better care of what they have because it is the hard earned fruit of their own hands. I wish I had grown up in such a place. I think it is wonderful life. People work together to accomplish things for the whole community and really function more like a family than just an economic unit. Bless you for recognizing that certain special something.

[@bettycastro835]

I would give it a thumbs us for its historical content not aware of this location and people NOT FOR ANY OTHER REASON

[@kokahayet9850]

@@gaslitworldf.melissab2897 كك98

[@heliotropezzz333]

I've read 'Twenty Years A Growin''. Great book. It's sad that everyone abandoned that community eventually.

[@mickbrod1]

​@William Nolan william with respect your salute is not as deserved be it should go to the islanders real hardy prople also in my area the farmers who toiled all the hrs of daylight i lived in a town with electric /water in the house the potato /turkey buisness was at the bottom of my street the golf course approx 15 min walk from our house regards michael.

[@chrismullan7191]

Sadly these people are the last of a great people, such a wonderful film, in many ways this film brings those days back to life, i feel truely blessed to see this film, thank you so much.

[@carolpatulak6013]

Very moving story of these courageous people

[@juliawitt3813]

I think it's very easy for us to romanticise the hardship, but it bred a strength of character which we are hard pressed to find in our modern day society. What a wonderful film. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@xvsupremacy7190]

Julia Witt Yes I marvel at the fact they have survived despite outward external dire existence .

[@willslingwood]

It’s interesting and rare that they had no church on the island. Given the Irish experience of the Catholic Church and having read the books written by the islanders from a young age, I get the impression that there was a time when they were poor in financial resources and infrastructure but rich in self determined culture. Life was indeed very difficult but they seemed to have a very zen attitude towards it: life is difficult, accept that and it’s difficulty becomes easy to weather. Being from the general area myself, I know that a fine day in West Cork and Kerry is like a visit to paradise.

[@silverkitty2503]

They were as hard as nails.

[@deaganachomarunacathasaigh4344]

I wish they stayed they're because you just don't find people like that nowadays

[@cuanfenton9132]

@@willslingwoodthey had a seipéilin (oratory) on the island that you’re not able to see today

[@colinstewart6367]

Why would anybody thumbs down this documentary..It is a fascinating insight into the culture and raw conditions Island people survived in..an excellent portrayal..

[@esterherschkovich6499]

No taste for culture...Indo wonder why thumbs down too.

[@jerrycargill5062]

Some people just thumbs down a video for no reason other than just to do it. Welcome to youtube.

[@michaelahern6821]

They're what you call trolls...

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

What they don’t know is it stil helps the movies algorithm .😎

[@catherinethemba]

No souls

[@lindastace5862]

I have tears in my eyes and pride in my heart watching this lovely tribute to the Blasket People thank you for sharing.

[@daithifoey9721]

Go raibh maith agaibh

[@patrickmullen4205]

Killlasser Swinford co maypole Filanfamilyy

[@odettehokemeir4425]

​@@patrickmullen4205 Thank you for that information

[@lucycope7047]

❤❤❤❤❤❤😢

[@steve1962]

These people were amazing, just rolled up their sleeves and got on with life no matter what the hardships - we will not see their like again and must make sure they are not forgotten.

[@Alpinewild444]

Steve Edwards yes, so true. thank you for your comment.

[@woodstock1769]

These people were amazing yes i agree. Do you reckon they had mortgages on those stone cottages they built, do you reckon their hardship was related to a self sustaining lifestyle that was taught to them from thier mothers and fathers! It was hard then yes, but nowadays your coerced into a debt and a loss of control over how one controls the quality of their lives, im my opinion!

[@steve1962]

@@woodstock1769 I wonder if the properties were like tied cottages - on land that others owned and so maybe they had to pay rent? I wonder if it was state owned?

[@beyondnatural9155]

As Tom Barry said, “Ireland will have great men, but they’ll never have better.”

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

I hear you. But when you have each other , a community , you get through it 🙏🏼 I admire all the people who paved the way for us today . Grateful ❤️🙏🏼❤️

[@karenv8351]

I was at the Blasket Centre recently and purchased a couple of the books. I burst into tears while at the counter, crying for a way of life and storytelling on the Blaskets that has ended.

[@pecosina57]

My people were not from the Blaskets, but I have visited the Great Blasket Island. It was so emotional for me. I saw donkeys and sheep, rams charging each other on the cliffside......I wandered into the derelict houses and could feel the presence of the community. The culture is fascinating to me and I am so grateful to have found this video

[@bridnilaoithe7264]

Ann-Marie Villasana My Mom is the little baby in the beginging of the clip and then when she was older talking as she crossed the river and walking in to our home. Niamh Criomthain.

[@beachdetectingireland3984]

@@bridnilaoithe7264 that's amazing , hope she is well .

[@geniusloci2271]

''Your home is there, where your heart is'' .Thank you for this beautiful movie :) Kind regards from Poland and England :)

[@OneBlueFroggy]

I had the grand fortune to visit Ireland in 2013, & a trip out to Great Blasket was definitely a highlight. At the time, I tried to picture people living there, and what a hard life it must have been. They would all have to be very close & rely on one another. This video helped me to better envision their lives. So very sad they had to leave their beautiful island, but so happy they have chosen to share their wonderful memories of home. I also bought & have read all three books of the islanders. Thank you so much for sharing this video, I loved it ❤

[@kevinchambers1609]

A wonderful production on a life, it's people, and an island very few people were aware of. From the US.

[@RoseThistleArtworks]

Leave it to a "scholar" to ignore what the people said about how happy they were and how they never wanted to live anywhere else. And leave it to a modern "artist" to depict nothing that the people who were actually there experienced. I laughed out loud hearing that man blast the "art" that paid homage to the artist and not the people who loved that island and each other. Beautiful, blessed people and island. Thank you so much for sharing this gem.

[@nimium1955]

said scholar was an officially accredited (though nowadays ideologically iffy) "expert" on the island. left this link upthread but as it is of interest,here it is again en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Derwent_Thomson

[@mosseyw]

I got the opportunity to stay on the island with my family in 2016 , it was an amazing experience and I will never forget

[@patdeller4448]

my mum. was from was born. on the blasket. and its lovly to see. all films and all the comment s

[@juliekauran3589]

what a beautiful life, helping each other in good and hard times, community, belonging, knowing your neighbours and those farther away. Being accountable, trust, honesty, cooperation, support and safety ,these ways are sadly lost to some.

[@johnjames5587]

very true unfortunately and hard work too is lost to rat drug dealers that kills out kids by selling their filth on our streets

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

" It was nothing but a grim struggle for a bare subsistence" ... But look how much love and pride they had! God love them.

[@meekhinglim4829]

If I was one of them and still living, I would like to return to the birthplace occassionally to recollect my fond memories and to set my feet on the familiar foot path and to see and smell the plants and flower . May God bless all the Blasket people who has found their new lives.

[@beyondnatural9155]

Actually, Mee, their children come over and sweep the path, and the rooms and patch up. I feel very small in their presence.

[@jojoidk3399]

I can’t imagine the heartache of not only leaving your home, but leaving the way of life for something completely new and daunting. What a hard life it must have been

[@patrickmccafferty984]

My parents (I am 70) both grew up in very remote part of Donegal.Very similar life of crofting, fishing, making curraghs. salting fish, drying seaweed, etc. Nearest school 5 miles across fields. No second level schooling at all. No doctor. No cars. Very hard life especially on women. Both grandmothers died young after multiple births. Went there every year when we were young and gradually progress changed things. Roads bulit, cars came along, buses appeared, a hospital was built. No one I ever met wished for the old days. They were grateful for the changes.Cannot imagine anyonye willingly going back to that kind of life. Life still can be hard as little work and most youg people flee towards Dublin , USA, Australia. it is a community of old people.

[@margarettrupia8066]

This is an excellent video! I have been captivated by the Blasket Island for years and when time allows I always try to see what is available on the internet about the Blaskets! This is my favorite video thus far! I am reading, "From the Great Blasket to America: The Last Memoir by an Islander" by Gerald Hayes, Michael J. Carney. Seeing this video brought all the characters to life! I even was able to recognize and name certain islanders from the book viewing this! It's magical to me. I find this island so allruing. I think about it quite a bit. One day I will be able to go over there. I guess I'm just a Blasket Island nerd!!!! Thank you for sharing this!

[@marysepradet6515]

@The road to Ireland yes you are right, the world has gotten smaller, the first time I went to Ireland in 1984, some people from Kerry or Limerick had never been to Dublin, they knew only their region, roads were very bad, some places almost impossible to reach .. it was a paradise , Ireland is a lost paradise !

[@xvsupremacy7190]

Margaret Trupia How difficult it must have been when their language was Irish ☘️ Gaelic

[@beyondnatural9155]

@@marysepradet6515 fought for independence and freedom for 800 years. When we got it we entered the EU who forced us to take a foreign people and feed and clothe and house them. I have lived too long.

[@aidabirch630]

What beautiful people, and delightful stories from Blasket Islands. A treasure.

[@fergar273]

Thank you, thank you very much for this material. Really appreciate it. It all started with a trip to The Blasket Centre, where I bought the 3 main books: Peig, Twenty years a-growing and The Islandman. Now I'm enchanted by this island. Thanks a lot.

[@theresakennedy893]

beautiful place our blasket island

[@marymurphy9633]

I treasure Peig's "The Music of What Happens". A great but sad at times book.

[@mikekavanagh8952]

Many Islands up along the West Coast were made to evacuate under De Valera and Fianna Fail, The People from Inishkeragh in Co, Donegal got no help in 1953 when they all left for the Mainland, At the time they were offered land in Co, Meath and no one moved there they got no Help or any small money to set up in a new home, With all the Natural Resources Ireland Had these people were the most let down, Its no wonder that all our Ministers for Energy got so rich in such a short time , Sell the peoples resources without even consulting them , The same Government that brought us into the EU in 73 is the same one that destroyed it for the Youth of Today. The Record speaks for itself, The Name should be resigned to History such damage has been done,

[@stephensmith4480]

Thats governments for you. They are supposed to look after the interests of the people that elected them and do whats right and fair by them. I dont have time for any of them. The only interests they care about are their own. Wonderful film by the way.

[@Sionnach1601]

Very well said. And the same name is now being used to bring in martial law and the undermining of our very food systems all under false pretenses. I despair.

[@paulcourtney1368]

Bejaysus..who cares.?

[@kristinebailey2804]

@MENTAL The government here in the USA has been doing the same. Now they want to give money to a foreign country for "gender studies." Evil doers the liberal leftists.

[@annemccambridge9870]

Thank you for spreading the word and telling the truth about what has been done.

[@derrickmurphy6040]

Beautiful story by good minded people. Thanks for sharing

[@missmaryh6932]

What a fascinating blast from the past. Thanks for showing us.

[@harrisonboone2248]

Tough feckers they were, those old men rowing the boats in their seventies were fitter and stronger than any twenty year old young lad today..

[@peterembranch5797]

And they lived shorter lives too. I don't suppose you'll be in a hurry to emulate them.

[@howardwayne3974]

With decent medical care , they'd last a while linger . my dad lived a hard life and finally leukemia took him in his late 80's .

[@joannbyrne182]

@@peterembranch5797 not really

[@JohnMoore-qv4vn]

Why can't you just say they were tough... why does it have to be "fitter and stronger" than today? People, humans, will always adapt to their environment.

[@bengaliinplatforms1268]

@@JohnMoore-qv4vn Because they were fitter, they were on the move all day, we are not

[@sepgorut2492]

You might gain in conveniences and amenities but to lose a culture and community is worse.

[@silverkitty2503]

they would have lost the community is more dire ways if they hadn't though ..i would say child mortality was terrible

[@jackyblue67same10]

I really enjoyed watching this & would have loved growing up on an Island like that .Truely was the good days God Bless them all that have passed on & still living today .

[@barreltapper]

I am told that all the people who were forced to leave Ireland carry a hurt inside of them til the day they die.

[@pmacc3557]

I can well imagine. They were probably like aliens to the mainlanders

[@barreltapper]

@@pmacc3557 It's far more likely that the "mainlanders" looked like aliens to them, in fact mainland England should be renamed as Alienland.

[@pmacc3557]

@@barreltapper yes good point . anyway, its all gone now and will NEVER be back. there's a sadness in that...

[@dublinthebest]

@@barreltapper Not sure what you mean by mainland? Nobody in Ireland refers to the UK as the ' mainland'. Maybe Ulster unionists prefer to call it ' the mainland' , but in the Republic of Ireland , nobody says mainland Britain.

[@barreltapper]

​@@dublinthebest I wrote "mainland"in inverted commas because it was a term used in the response to my comment, I simply used his term in my response. I assumed the commenter meant Ireland, from where are you getting the idea that England was the object of his comment?

[@bjbrown]

Thank you for sharing this story. It is a shame that some “artist” thought that sculpture was an honor to the island people.

[@stevenginn5352]

Fantastic documentary. Puts places and faces to the Blasket Islanders in the book I am reading, called "Hungry for Home". Thank you.

[@marty518]

There is a fantastic book on the last years of the Blasket community called "On An Irish Island" by Robert Kanigel. I highly recommend!

[@paulbroderick8438]

I am half way through reading it. Surely the Irish government could have done more at the time? A hard life on the Blasket's no doubt but it seems that nobody would consider giving these wonderful people due consideration in allowing them to remain. I was born in Dublin and now reside in the USA, greetings.

[@heliotropezzz333]

'Twenty Years A Growing' by Maurice O'Sullivan is also good.

[@timrohan8792]

Such a great book, my last name is Rohan, my family immigrated to Holyoke, Massachusetts from dingle in the early 1900's. Many islanders and west kerry folk moved to that city along with springfield.I love thinking of my ancestors having ties to the great blasket. I absolutely love reading on an irish island, and feeling that I am somehow distantly related to Tomás O' Criomhthain. I hope someday to hike the hills and feel the westerly breeze on my face and be engulfed in such a beautiful nostalgic feeling.

[@Sionnach1601]

Go raibh maith agat mar sin! I will look that up, thanks and slán!

[@richardkilmer5446]

I am not even Irish but i am compelled to know more of their life story.

[@basilallen308]

They worked so hard and preserved culture, language and traditions but were badly let down by the state.

[@silverkitty2503]

@Martin Doyle He tried to change everyone into something they weren't ...instead of helping them be who they were. He could have helped the gaelgoirs be who they were and dubliners be dubliners

[@sav7568]

There were no votes in doing anything for the island people so the government did nothing. Plenty of other islands beside Great Blasket were abandoned. On top of that the island people refused to pay taxes which did not endear them to any of the politicians.

[@Sionnach1601]

@@sav7568 One could hardly blame them though for not paying any taxes, considering their very harsh lives, with barely enough to feed themselves.

[@silverkitty2503]

@@sav7568 Exactly ...the politicians helped themselves. Why should they pay taxes ...they got nothing for those taxes! Tax on what exactly ?? I mean it looks like subsistence living to me!

[@ricktherecorder4416]

The point is surely that a hard life had meaning in a way a soft life does not. None of them says that he or she was not happy. They only left when the life went from hard to impossible.

[@sheilalupton2040]

Came across this, so beautiful to learn of their lives. 😘

[@yvesbienvenu3062]

I have recently read the book written by Thomas O'Crohan. For some French people from islands ashore Brittany like "Ile de Sein" life as always been difficult as well but nothing compares to he life of Blasket people. I discovered something approachong on Aran islands. Thanks so much ofr this video probably shot during the 80'

[@bloomfullyever]

What a beautiful language. I hope Irish people won't let it die.

[@margaretoconnor6800]

K 8

[@thomaspollock9274]

its the irish goverment let it die as they are traitors since the foundation and traitors now irish id dying becaause its not meade compulsary in schools so engilsh wins again we should be ashamed

[@thinderellaedwards1365]

thomas pollock The British outlawed speaking Irish as part of their plan to steal Ireland from the Irish.

[@dawnadriennetaylor970]

@@thinderellaedwards1365 The term "The British" is the British establishment not its people who once also enjoyed village life once. i.e. the political faces of the administration consisting of leaders of all western countries including Ireland, who willingly carry out agendas of destroying all cultures because that empowers communities and they want to divide, conquer and control. Getting people off the land has been done by the Industrial Revolution in England where agricuktural and self sufficient people were forced to relocate to cities, the Dustbowl in America, the Potato Famine, Africa and India's poverty is well documented and unchanged despite Bob Geldhof's funding farce. I love seeing this video and the author is right, there is much to learn from communities. Elsewhere so many have been divided by a deliberate importation of feral immigrants. It is so good to hear the Irish language and the vivid green again.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Since it is preserved in writing, it will survive, even if not spoken, much like Latin. It still exists "in" our spoken languages today, but not in its original form. If the people care, they need to cultivate and support scholars studying and teaching the language and telling their stories. Why not?

[@proudindiancitizen2494]

Physical hardship but accompanied with a loving family, strong community, culture and religious faith is still far better than lonely, broken n lost lives I feel... working hard physically as a way to cope is better than doing drugs... n depression... The number one killer today is loneliness and depression connected with it.... One can do something about economic hardship but nothing so far has worked for loneliness or depression.... Broken families, broken hearts, unstable careers, loneliness, dwindling values, vanishing faith, .... and all these are still accompanied with poverty n unemployment even today.... so how has the humanity improved its condition? How are we or the larger group youth of today better today? There is rising poverty, crime,... and delinquency and drug abuse... n disease still kills.... For me, I would like a slower paced life where one had a family and a community that were worth living with and for. I agree this life is hard.. but which isn't?

[@Sionnach1601]

All extremely good points, and very well made. I'd say, had the island even a small 'trauma' clinic for accidents and emergencies, life could have been extremely good. Regarding your final points i.e. "I would like a slower paced life where one had a family and a community that were worth living with and for", it reminded me all too much a line from that famous, beautiful song, not a million miles away from (na Blascaodaí!) "I'd be content with whatever God sent, with neighbors old and grey." "Had I youth's blood an hopeful mood and a heart of fire once more, For all the gold the world might hold I'd never leave your shore. I'd be content with whatever God sent, with neighbors old and grey. I'd lay my bones ‘neath churchyard stones, above you Galway Bay."

[@maryporter4995]

I agree there is not as much close knit because people are too busy trying to pay to live & keep up with brand names or newest game or phone .yet depression is rife among the young 😢😢 maybe we will learn again what are our most valued treasures family friends work & time spent together so we really k ow each other.

[@elvismorrissey4703]

true, life is not a race.

[@annemccambridge9870]

Hopelessness must be the worst illness to bear and it must be worse in many modern, atomised, anonymous towns and cities. Yes, these islanders had so much of what makes us truly happy. They were fully employed, which is a healthy way to be, in spite of the terrible physical hardship they were forced to endure and do battle with in all weathers. They had hope and faith in a better tomorrow so they had a reason to get up every day. Unemployment and the loss of community and culture, and the subsequent descent into drugs, is a true tragedy in huge swathes of our modern world. If people can somehow hold onto their faith and live to help others regain their sense of purpose it might help to rebuild those communities. We have to find our tribe of like-minded people and make personal sacrifices in order to rebuild strong families and protect them. Strong families make strong communities. It's idealistic and it's easier for me to say this than it is to actually accomplish but perhaps it is the only way. Sending hope and blessings from the north coast of Ireland, right beside our own, still inhabited, Rathlin Island!

[@giornalista]

what a beautiful film about these amazing people and their home.

[@bridgetambrose9206]

Totally amazing, the community is key, they helped each other, with no doctor....that speaks volumes, they were connected to mother earth and her healing properties. Awesome documentary.....very grateful. ☘☘💜💜

[@greyline1012]

It was clearly a very hard and tough life, but I wonder how many of us are wishing for that life now!!

[@daviddalton8996]

Amazing video! The progress of civilization certainly brings with it a degree of sadness.

[@j.e.7028]

How lovely...I hope the knowledge wisdom,language and pure desendcy of these lovely hard working people has been passed on

[@janestraub3252]

….always pretty much the same thing.....we see these wonderful places where our ancestors lived, often now empty and mostly abandoned, rural , beautiful,.... and there are dreams to going back to reclaim these wonderful places. Then reality sets in. Why did our ancestors leave? No jobs, no land, or no money to pay the taxes if they owned the land. And how would we make a new start in these area? There would be no modern comforts, most likely severe hardships. Working the land is difficult and hard. Gaining a profit from the land even harder. Only if we have enormous financial resources could we do something like this but by the time we have a little saved we are old and not able or not willing to give up modern conveniences . Shame.

[@Sionnach1601]

Very good points, all true and very relevant. Regarding making a fresh start - next to impossible. Even for those who are far more resilient by nature than the average person of modernity, and who live simple lives with little creature comforts, it would be extremely difficult, LARGELY because of the lack of the specific knowledge which would be necessary in order to provide food, shelter and all the other many things necessary to survive. The islanders had their own, as it were, 'ecological niche', and would have known all the ins and outs of things, the pitfalls, the correct exact times and timings of things, the areas and locations which would be of particular benefit, moderate benefit or of moderate loss or danger, and of particular loss or danger. They would have had the tools, passed down to them. They would have known how to use the tool, the most (and least) profitable ways to use the tool, how to maintain and look after the tool, and what to do if it was broken or lost, and how to make or obtain a new one. ALL of their knowledge would have been taught over many years, covering many, many aspects about life on the island. All one had to do when one was born on the island, was to 'plug in' to the systems and facilities which were already in place, meager and all as they might have been. Even if one were to pick another islander from, say, Owey Island in Donegal, and ask him to come to set up 'fresh' on one of the Blaskets, though he may know many of the ways, it would take him quite a while before he would have identified the particular *geographic* idiosyncrasies of the new area, during which time, he may or may not even make enough food for himself to survive! If one were to take an original Blasket man, wave a magic wand and give him back his youth, and stick him on the island on his own, as it is now, his chances of survival would also be very slim, as many of their chores were *team efforts*, and as the lad above said "Life was good when the community was strong" i.e. sufficient young blood to provide the muscle, with sufficient elderly to train and to school the young. Additionally, even if we were to grant that one islander magically transformed back to his youth, his whole community back in their youth and heyday too, they too would not be able to just flick on the switch of production without their tools, workshops, materials, supply chains from the mainland etc. So all of these factors would be ESSENTIAL for a fresh start. Now, please don't get me wrong; I'm not for a moment inferring that you were seriously suggesting this, but I just wanted to make a few points to give others, particularly the younger viewers, something to think about. It also raises the incredible achievement which WAS that these human beings were able to sustain up to 150 people on such a small, rocky island, in a notoriously cold, wet and windy (and stormy) part of the World. I have absolutely nothing but the highest possible respect for them. It is a very sad thing to read the words of Tomás Ó'Criomtháin in "An tOileánach" "for the like of us will never be again". "I have written minutely of much that we did, for it was my wish that somewhere there should be a memorial of it all, and I have done my best to set down the character of the people about me so that some record of us might live after us, for the like of us will never be again."

[@materdeimusicd.buckley2974]

Mile buiochas. Bhios ag oilean Cleire an samhraidh seo caite. Ta daoine fos ann ag chaint Gaeilge gach la. Ach an chuid bearla ann anois. This is a very lovely tribute. Thank you.

[@johnmcdyer7297]

This must be the best documentary of Irish Island life ever I am very grateful to you mr Manson thanks

[@CaliWeHo]

Thank you so much for uploading this; it was wonderful! I hadn't heard of these people. ❤

[@DChristina]

Thank you for sharing this video, I hadn’t heard of the Basket island people before. Great they built a center to honor and remember them. Though I can relate to the older gentleman who wondered about the sculptures supposedly depicting the women of the island. Said he can’t imagine what they were doing (the sculpted gals). I have the same wonderment about most sculpture and modern art as well. What the actual hell? 🍀❤️

[@woodstock1769]

We certainly do have something to learn from them in terms of our culture in Ireland in 2020!

[@MacEoin]

Why should the Blaskets and other islands like St Kilda not be re-inhabited now? Modern means of communication, fuel, building materials, agriculture and so on would remove many of the obstacles that forced the departure of the original islanders? The BBC made a series many years ago called Castaway, which showed that motivated individuals could bring an abandoned island to life. Can't the Irish government start a scheme?

[@pekerdalton]

Denis MacEoin my dad's side were from the island .i think their's politics involved in no-one living on the island now

[@kats1648]

+Denis MacEoin There are 2 lads living off-grid on the Great Blasket, running a basic cafe for the many visitors. Several of the houses are habitable and some are used as holiday homes. It's far from completely abandoned.

[@feow33]

+Jamie Mac Indeed, and how Haughey(and his family) ended up with Inishvickillane grrrr.

[@janesmith2485]

It is possible. I bought a small island in the Pacific. (now sold) I am always interested in islands. It is very hard although there are advantages in being away from other people. I never fully lived there but it wa a wonderful experience (particularl as it was so warm,. I have looked at Irish and Scottish islands for sale and it can be quite bleak and cold. I have some Irish ancestors (left about 1849) so it might be nice to return to the roots at some stage.

[@ricktherecorder4416]

At a time of general hard living, island life, though perhaps harder than most, had a special appeal that compensated. It would require a most unusual personality to choose such a life when easy, varied, modern life is competing for the taking.

[@johnnytocino9313]

Sad story. Makes me think of my parents grandparents in the 30's depression in USA. One of the most common sayings during that time which disappeared with the advent of consumerism, yuppie culture, etc, was, "shate and share alike". These people lived that for real. Humbling to watch.

[@elviramcintosh9878]

Wonderful and poignant and peaceful and weathered history of a place I had never even heard of before. I like the thought of not having a reason to regret the past which is but a collection of struggles for mere subsistence. And yet, they were happy while it lasted. That is as universal a thought as there ever was. Bless them.

[@doberman1ism]

A very interesting historical documentary. The people were so strong and independent. I admire their strengths and their work ethic. It is sad that the population dwindled and they had to leave their beloved island.

[@paulpayton8238]

Thanks for sharing this video I've lived in n Ireland for 10 yrs and it was hard then in the country I've been back in England 5 yrs my great grandparents come from wexford Paul p Birmingham England ❤👍

[@peteacher52]

I have read Maurice O'Sullivan's book 'Twenty Years A-growing' many times over the years, re-reading it just now. The feeling of a longing nostalgia that is so skillfully infused throughout this excellent film is applicable to most people of any culture who because of whatever circumstances, must leave their home place either to never return or to do so later when great changes have made it a different place. This film was made twenty years ago, the very time-span covered by Maurice as he was a-growing on Great Blasket Island during the Edwardian/George V era. (I have no Irish conections, rather 3rd gen Scots/English, NZ)

[@vanessagordon2661]

I really enjoyed watching this and learning about the Blaskets. I wonder why they chose to play Schubert piano music in the background, rather than Irish traditional music?

[@iagreewithyoubub]

A random video pops up in my recommended, seven years after it was posted. But fascinating, as I had never heard of these people.

[@RoseThistleArtworks]

Same here. That is strange.

[@tristanburke6575]

Can't thank you enough for sharing.

[@MartinaBC19]

Brings tears to my eyes.....

[@folkorchestraukuleleoxford6374]

Thank you for providing a reflective moment about a past community. I'm writing some music based on the little I know of the Blasket Islands.

[@mikewalrus4763]

They may have a hard life and probably a short one, but they had something that is rare in this world today - it called Community - they all pulled together for each other. A sad time not only for the Blaskets but the whole world more or less. There still a few such places left in the world but even they are going as the young want everything now and easily. Mind you I can't say I blame them - my time is just about up and those young people have yet to find their way in the so called modern world, Good luck to them I say - they'll need it, but I'm sure in their own way they will get through!

[@snipe757]

"We have no reason to regret the passing of that world, because in the reality of everyday life, it was nothing but a grim struggle for bare subsistence." Interesting comment by the narrator. The Blasket Islanders don't seem to feel that way. Theirs may have been a simple life, but it was honest, peaceful, and beautiful.

[@93pljohnson]

I had the same thoughts when the narrator said that..........

[@nimium1955]

I thought that was a curious comment at 21:25. Wondered about background and qualifications of such an opinionated expert. He was this English born academic: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Derwent_Thomson

[@snipe757]

@@nimium1955 It's interesting when such people offer a commentary on another culture. Perhaps in some ways, the new way of life is 'better', meaning that some things are easier. However, the extinction of the Blasket Island community was also a loss, in that they had history, culture, and simple way of life among their loved ones. Now they are scattered to the four winds, another group that has been transplanted from their homelands. I had the impression many of them would have preferred living that life if it had been feasible.

[@allstairs8726]

As a native of the West of Ireland and still living here, this video touches my heart, it is sad to see a way of life die, but that is life and it moves on, like time and tide, it waits for no man. Slán, agus go n-ardóidh an bóthar leat.

[@stonew1927]

What the video doesn't show is the story of how the people arrived in the Blasket Islands in the first place. How long were they there? Why did their ancestors manage to thrive but they didn't? Why was school so important ? Their parents could have taught the children all they needed to know about their history, culture, and how to survive on the islands. Sounds like they didn't procreate enough, and when the population dwindled and there were fewer able bodied younger men life become untenable for them. Fascinating to learn about these people. Thank you for uploading....

[@margaretoconnor6800]

Stone W ‘

[@margaretoconnor6800]

Stone W )

[@jaqian]

They went to the mainland to find wives so there wasn't an issue with the genes.

[@LadyOaksNZ]

I am very blessed to learn about the Blasket community... very poor in material terms yes, but what a vibrant rich heritage left for us today. We'll not see their like again. 💯💯❤

[@Olentzaro]

I like the center they set up to commemorate life on the Blaskets. I think that will help people to better understand the life that once existed there.

[@Itbmurr1]

Sad story. Beautiful language and people. With modern technology and all, I wonder why no one tried to go back and redevelop the island. It’s such a beautiful place.

[@MsMesem]

People living off grid there now if you read comments.

[@ianhorsburgh9867]

a beautiful film , thank you

[@joehiggs100]

Many thanks, I'lll try and find some of the Blasket Writers' books, the whole piece is constructed in a delightful manner.

[@marymurphy9633]

Peig Seyers? Spelling of her surname "the music of what happens" is a great book. Enjoy if you read it

[@DerekCullenOutdoors]

I would love to make a video about the Blasket Islands this Summer...fantastic insight in this doc :)

[@seneythomas4433]

Heart breaking. So much like the St. Kildans of the Hebrides.

[@pmacc3557]

Scots?

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

@@pmacc3557 Irish, of the Kerry coast. St Kildans is a Scottish island which suffered the same fate, the loss of its population. Perhaps the mention of Ossian threw you but he and Fionn ma cúthail and the Fennian and Ulster cycle all stem from Ireland.

[@qormi1000]

What a beautifully made video. Thank you for uploading it.

[@mariacrouch7109]

God bless the blanket people who were rich in culture and rich in community

[@accessaf]

Is not all life a grim struggle for existence. I would choose freedom over living in a city any time, Even if my bones washed out to sea, at least then I wouldn't have an expensive funeral // The mainland offered safety but did it really offer freedom . People go to islands to get away from the mainland

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Trouble living there is when you have a medical emergency and the weather is too rough for the helicopter service.

[@nicolaa9672]

Yes I live on an Island and this is a real problem. You have to be prepared for that! You may die because you can't get help

[@anniemay4547]

It wouldn’t do for me them I hate flying..

[@marymurphy9633]

The documentary explained they had no landing site on the island

[@thebestofnothing8405]

My teachers grandparents lived there

[@jackthelad15]

No need for a psychiatrist or therapy of any kind, hard work busies the mind, keeps people occupied and helps overall outlook and good mental health, fresh air and a clean lifestyle is the correct way to live, look at people now most are completely out of touch with how we are supposed to live, god rest their souls ❤️

[@heliotropezzz333]

Does it matter if life is hard and without luxuries if people are happy?

[@jamesfrench4232]

Fascinating documentary about the people on the great Blasket, was truly surprised to see my old primary school teacher talking about life on the Blaskets,(Padraig Duinsleibhe or Mr. Dunleavy as we knew him) knew he was from there, his dad was the teacher on the Island.

[@ballyferry]

thank you for posting - great film!!

[@bethbartlett5692]

I have got to go to this place - it is "where" I've been looking for. 🍀 I qualify - 💚🍀💚- lineage - County Kerry!

[@jamieshannon9809]

And I have also.

[@esterherschkovich6499]

I have been,Worth a visit,

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

wby oh why is it necessary to put flipping music over it? Why cannot I simply liten to the dialogue and watch the pictures without my ears being assaulted?

[@maudegonne3740]

And romantic classical music at that. Highly in appropriate

[@brainerdboy1177]

Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers, Muiris Ó Súilleabháin. Sea. Na Blascaodaí.

[@larrycarroll7371]

Wow, what a revelation and inspiration.

[@Mounhas]

Just love the names, poetry in themselves.

[@mediolanumhibernicus3353]

Why Schubert? And in a Mantovani-Clayderman arrangement? Bizarre!

[@ronsohler6526]

I wish there was more information and/or any pictures of Peig Sayer's son Tomas Guiheen who fell from the cliffs and passed at age 13 in 1920.

[@blasketboy]

There is info out there , how ever it may be handed down, but it's there. Blasket Island Centre , Dunquin, Kerry

[@HAPPYTHELEAF]

Ron Sohler there is a strange tale to Tomás, when he was found broken on the rocks below his hand was in his pocket, which conflicted with the account of what happened, in that he was supposed to have been pulling Gorse for fire wood....

[@hilltop521]

I've always lived in the South Coast of ireland I ve been to USA and other countries Ireland is the best place to live on this planet its true authenticity culture and clear air and people

[@bethg.5611]

If they had stayed, today they would be "culturally enriched" by you-know -who.

[@janesmith9024]

They had a freedom we don't have today particularly during covid 19 restrictions. They also moved all day and ate good foods like fish. We are now shadows (extremely over weight ones) of our former selves and are all the worse for moving from that more natural better life.

[@martiniv8924]

Pure human beings, as uncorrupted as could be I guess , so unique , and now lost

[@kathleenirish]

They should never have been pushed off their island

[@taleofawhale6964]

So authentic and somehow mediterrenean. They remind somehow of the greek islanders though sharper and softer. Suffered from emigration too. Its very sad that all this will disappear on day.

[@MsMesem]

Yes but the Greek state has always made it a priority to keep the islands populated and maintain regular (even if less frequent in winter)ferry service to them .

[@blasketboy]

I only saw this now, thank you so so much! I have a video of Oileán eile since the 80s

[@mlr4524]

So my first thought, as always, is WHAT ABOUT THE ANIMALS?

[@gabriellakadar]

Someone commented four years ago that there are sheep and donkeys living on the island still.

[@oddievandijk4252]

They built an ark they did.

[@paulcourtney1368]

The men were using thanimals for comfort.😉😉

[@joeturner1597]

Life. With simple purpose and contentment. What else do you need? Apart from all that other stuff, like health care, education, welfare etc. Civilisation has its down side. Like crime, oppression, discontent etc. It's a trade off between how well you want to live and how long you want to live.

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

I'd love to develop that into a tourists spot to preserve the old homes and traditional crafts. Offer craft courses to tourists. They can learn to shear sheep, fish, knit, sew and learn a bit of the language and sell recipe books based on the foods they ate. Why not offer sailing or canoeing around the island as well? No need to spend all day in classes. The point would be to give people the Blasket experience with a bit of fun on the menu as well. Imagine ending your day in one of the old homesteads with the smell of bread and stew at the hearth when you walk in. You'd sleep well I promise.

[@joeturner1597]

@@gaslitworldf.melissab2897 Disney.

[@claudeusgothicus6453]

It appears their plan is indeed working and the mind control is effective.

[@mariacristinalastrabelgran1258]

It breaks my heart when I see people are forced to leave their birth place. They were let down by the state. Govts profit. Some powerful profit. Some idiots with full pockets profit. But they are responsible for the loss of a culture, tradition and a hard but healthy way of life. But, sooner or later,Nature makes us all pay for our pride and ignorance of natural laws.

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Why are there no comments I found this really heartbreaking for the islanders government done piss all shocking

[@Sionnach1601]

It looks like the government viewed them in the way that it still views us these days, and that is in terms of productive output: in the government's eyes, their way of life could produce little more than food for the islanders themselves, and little else for governments. Mé féin mentality obviously. I could be wrong, but I would presume that by bringing them onto the mainland, they might then live a more productive life and could thereby become tax payers. So, as I said, I could be wrong, but it would appear that the govt only viewed them and all others too, as to what they could get out of them.

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Sionnach1601 you are probably correct very sad not probably definitely

[@annewilson4618]

People will be back. It will take generations to reestablish such a community, thank god there is a record of it!

[@markaxworthy2508]

Very moving and as fine a critique (20:40) of a piece of modern art as I have ever heard.