| Blasket Islands |
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| A group of adventurous souls took a cab to Dunquin from Dingle to catch a ferry to the Blasket Islands. The harbor at Dunquin was little more than a gorge in the cliffs. The group then took another boat on an "Eco Marine Adventure Tour" around the Blasket Islands. The weather did not cooperate and the sea was rough but we saw sharks and puffins. We had free time on the largest Blasket Island which was ruggedly beautiful. |
| The harbor at Dunquin with the Blasket Islands in the distance. |
| The small ramp where a rubber dinghy dropped us off on the largest Blasket Island. |
| The Blasket Islands are six small islands across Blasket Sound from the western most tip of the Dingle Peninsula. The statue of the old Blasket islander captures the harsh life of the people who once lived on the islands. The islands were inhabited until 1953 when the last resident was forced to move closer to health care. |
| One of the few remaining residents of the largest island has lunch. No one lives on the island now. The little house has been refurbished but no one lives there. There are no restaurants or other facilities. So, it is a good idea to take water and a little fruit or other food. |
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| The puffins thought the water was fine. |
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| At Dunquin Harbor we saw modern replicas of the tiny boats known as currach boats the islanders used. These tiny boats were made of canvas stretched over a wooden frame and covered with tar. As we rode the ferry to the Blasket Islands across the choppy water of the sound, it was apparent that only the bravest and best sailors would use the small boats in these waters. |
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| Only the rock walls remain of the houses that once were the homes of the Blasket Islanders. |
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