• Siarl WardEngland Ireland Sweden+DenmarkTraveler
    Great Blasket Island and the Blasket Centre.
    Although many naomhóga (row boats) were purchased on the mainland, were also built on islandThe naomhóg is constructed of light ribs fixed to the lower gunwale, and ‘stringers’ running the lenUsually, four thwarts (or seats) are fitted, and formerly a mast thwart was fitted near the prow.An artistic map of Great Blasket and surrounding smaller islands.An interior view looking out of the Blasket CentreMosaic art in the Blasket Centre, Dún Chaoin.Square wooden oars used to row boats (Naomhóg)An interior view of the long hall of the Blasket Centre. An architecturally striking building.Exterior view of the entrance of the Blasket Centre.Listen to the language of the Blasket IslandersA beautiful short film about the Blaskets is shown every 15 minutes at the museumartificial light was by burning a wick or rush in a scallop shell containing fish oil or animal fat.‘Carageen’ seaweed, dried and then boiled in milk, provided a health drink which the Islanders tookThese donkey panniers were used by the Islanders to carry loads of turf, heather, and seaweed.This is a song composed by local poet Peaidí Bán Ó Conchubhair about a boat called ‘The Leader’. ThiBlasket Islander: Peg Sears 1932, by Harry KernoffCertificate of Naturalization Many Blasket Islanders emigrated to Springfield, Massachusetts, joininThis Claddagh-style ring was homemade on the Island. A hole was bored into a coin, and the coin thenView of Great Blasket from the Blasket Centre.Exhibition items at the Blasket Centre, Dún Chaoin.

    The Blasket Centre (Museum)

    June 2 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    With stunning views of the wild Atlantic coast and islands at the halfway point of the Slea Head Drive, the Blasket Centre is a fascinating heritage and cultural centre/ museum, honouring the unique community who lived on the remote Blasket Islands from 1290 until their evacuation in 1953.
    The Blasket Centre tells the story of island life, subsistence fishing and farming, traditional life including modes of work and transport, home life, housing and entertainment. The Centre details the community’s struggle for existence, their language and culture, and the extraordinary literary legacy they left behind- classics such as The Islandman, Twenty Years A-Growing, and Peig. Their story is told using a variety of means – exhibitions, interactive displays, artefacts, audio visual presentations and artworks. Visible from the Centre is Great Blasket Island. Tours of the deserted village on the island are also available.    Read more