The Blasket Islands are a group of Islands off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry Ireland. They are the most westerly islands in Europe.

Great Blasket Island is the largest of this island group, renowned for its abundant wildlife, particularly sea birds, its scenic beauty, and its interesting history. It is also famous for the many acclaimed writers who emerged from the vibrant community of people who once lived there. Their written accounts of life on the island are now considered to be classics of literature, and there are translations of these books in many countries of the world. The once thriving community of 150 or more people declined, as emigration, mainly to the USA, took its toll on the population, and when the Island was finally vacated in 1953 there were only 22 people living on the Island. The islanders homes fairly quickly fell to ruin, only a few of them have been maintained by their owners who use them for summer visits.

To spend a day on the island feels like a great privilege - walking amongst the ruins, paddling on the beach under the watchful eyes of the seals and sea birds, walking the length of the island to marvel at the views of the other islands and mainland and enjoy the peace and tranquillity away from traffic. To spend a night or two is totally magical, to observe the changing colours of the sunset, listen to the whispering sounds of the sea and the gentle summer breeze, have a glass or two of wine beside a turf fire and ponder at the lives of the people who once lived there, with their language, music, dance, and also their many hardships. As midnight approaches one can experience the unforgettable cacophony of the Manx Shearwater returning in their thousands to their colonies.

Ferries to Great Blasket Island run daily from Dunquin Pier throughout the summer, weather permitting.

Many of the photos here are available in 3 or 4 sizes, up to 36 x 24 inches (91cm x 60cms) maximum. There may be more sizes available than shown on the image information. Please click the Information link above for more details.

Blasket Islands Stormy weather view of The Blasket Islands Tags: blaskets stormy weather dunquin
On Great Blasket Island Looking towards Dunmore Head on the mainland, with the sun lighting up the foreground and a little of the sea. Peig Sayers House is amongst the white buildings on the right. Tags: blasket islands great blasket island dunmore head peig sayers house
View from Great Blasket Island Viewing the Island of Beginish and the mainland from Great Blasket Island Tags: beginish blasket islands
Great Blasket Island The Island, viewed from Dunquin, by the pier, on a stormy December Day. Tags: great blasket island blaskets stormy weather
On Great Blasket Island Looking towards the mainland Tags: blasket islands great blasket island
Blaskets from Mt Eagle 08 View from a walk up Mount Eagle Tags: blaskets great blasket island mount eagle dingle peninsula kerry
Tiaracht An Tiaracht, one of the group of Islands known as The Blasket Islands, viewed from Great Blasket Island Tags: tiaracht blasket islands
On Great Blasket Island Viewing Inishvickillane, Inis na Bró, and An Tiaracht, from the westerly end of the Great Blasket Island. Tags: blasket islands inishvickillane inis na bró an tiaracht
On Great Blasket Island 087 View of the beach and some of the ruins on the Island Tags: blasket islands trá bán ruins
Open Door Looking out the door of an old cottage on Great Blasket Island Tags: blasket islands great blasket island trá bán
Blasket Islands from Mount Eagle From the top of Mount Eagle, one can be treated to this wonderful view of the Blaskets. Tags: blasket islands mount eagle dingle peninsula
Blaskets from Mt. Eagle View of the Islands and Dunquin fields. The heather is in full bloom. Available in all sizes from 11 x 8 up to 24 x 36 inches Tags: blasket islands dunmore head dingle kerry ireland mount eagle dunquin heather photo dún chaoín
Blasket Heather 09 On Gt.Blasket with heather in the foreground of the picture, and the mainland is in the distance. Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. Available in all sizes from 8 x 11 up to 24 x 36 inches. Tags: blaskets dún chaoín dunquin dingle peninsula chiarraí heather.
On Great Blasket 053 On Gt.Blasket Island. Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. Available in all sizes from 8 x 11 up to 24 x 36 inches. Tags: blaskets dún chaoín dunquin dingle peninsula chiarraí heather
On Great Blasket 047 On Gt.Blasket Island. Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. Available in all sizes from 8 x 11 up to 24 x 36 inches. Tags: blaskets dún chaoín dunquin dingle peninsula chiarraí
On Great Blasket On Gt.Blasket with the mainland in the distance. Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. Available in all sizes from 8 x 11 up to 24 x 36 inches. Tags: blaskets dún chaoín dunquin dingle peninsula chiarraí
On Blasket with Heather 043 The heather on the island can be spectacular. Available in all sizes from 12 x 8 up to 36 x 24 inches Tags: blaskets heather
On Great Blasket 041 This photo shows Dunquin on the mainland and Mount Brandon in the distance. Available in all sizes from 12 x 8 up to 36 x 24 inches Tags: blaskets dunquin brandon
On Gt Blasket Island As seen from the Island with the mainland in view. Available in all sizes from 11 x 8 up to 24 x 36 inches Tags: blasket islands dingle kerry ireland dunquin photo dún chaoín
Blasket Islands from Mt Eagle 34 View from a walk up Mt. Eagle Tags: blasket islands dingle kerry ireland mount eagle photo

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