The Blaskets islands in time

What was left behind though was a huge wealth of oral tradition about a way of life that is no more, yet has the timeless allure of all islands, for some inexplicable reason. Being cut off from the world the islanders had to make their own entertainment by visiting each other houses and sharing news. One of most famous was Peig Sayers, a naturally gifted storyteller who was well qualified to speak about hardship, having left school at 14, married an islander and produced 10 children of whom only 5 survived, 4 of which emmigrated leaving only her son Michai at home with her on the Blaskets.

“When the visitors arrived (for all gathered to the Sayers house when Peig was there to listen to her from supper-time till midnight) the chairs were moved back and the circle increased. News was swapped, and the news often gave the lead for the night's subject, death, fairies, weather, crops. All was grist to the mill, the sayings of the dead and the doings of the living, and Peig, as she warmed to her subject, would illustrate it richly from her repertoire of verse, proverb and story......”

Incidentally the brother of that young boy who died, Michael Carna who emigrated to Springfield, Massachusetts was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Literature from Maynooth University just now in Sept 2009 at the age of 89 the oldest surviving Blaskets Islander left to tell the tale....

10 Other things to do and see around Dingle are...

1 Dingle itself once a simple fishing village now a thriving tourist destination that has retained its charm, often signposted in Irish as An Daingean.

2 Murphys Icecream truly magnificent artisan icecream, people have moved house for their Chocolate Whiskey Truffle and White Chocolate and Rosewater icecreams.

3 Holden Leathergoods in Baile on Ghoilin is another mecca for ladies handbags home produced in Dingle in trendy contemporary designs in the softest leathers.

4 The Greenlane Gallery in one of the best privately owned gallerys in Ireland, excellently curated selection of local and international art & sculpture by owner Susan Callery.

5 Inch Strand if you fancy yourself as ‘Ryans Daughter’ find yourself a Robert Mitchum lookalike and get swept away on this magnificent beach.

6 Connor Pass cross this mountain pass to Kilcummin beach, with its stunning backdrop of the Brandon mountains.

7 Gallarus Oratory and Kilmeader Church in Ballydavid, beehive huts and monastic settlement, dating from the Dark Ages.

8 Louis Mulcahy Pottery great pottery this, whose designs have stood the test of time, still as popular as ever especially the blue glazed lamps with handpainted silk lampshades.

9 Niamh Utsch Jewellery highly covetable handmade contemporary styled jewellery in gold and silver embedded with precious stones.

10 Benners Hotel traditional family run hotel with a warm welcome and hearty food.

For more information on the Blaskets Centre please click here.