The Great Blasket Island Documentary | Walking Around Ireland - Day 28

The Great Blasket Island was evacuated in 1954 after being inhabited for centuries by a small but close-knit Irish speaking population who followed a traditional way of life involving farming, fishing, weaving. Although the population was close to 200 people at one time, this number diminished rapidly in the early 1900’s. It was due to decline and depopulation that the remaining twenty two islanders were forced to evacuate the island.

But why?

While some moved to cities on the mainland, in most instances, the young had emigrated to America.

You see, it cost £6 to catch the ferry from Cobh to New York and the youth were terribly excited by the prospect of jobs, and a much more glamorous or less demanding way of life.

Interestingly, it was easier for islanders to travel to New York than Dublin and the Americas seemed closer at that time.

Most often, the eldest female would go to work in Dingle or nearby cities and save up this £6 to pay for the boat. Once settled in America, they would work and send home the passage money to their siblings who could then follow in their footsteps.

In the end, the youth had left the Great Blasket and the remaining islanders were unable to sustain the harsh requirements of living in such a remote environment. After an emergency message was sent to the Taoiseach, Eamon de Valera gave the order to evacuate the remaining islanders.

It was a common theme in Ireland, emigration, and awfully sad for the Great Blasket. Unlike today, this youth would never have the opportunity to come home and they would also live on with the knowledge that their “home” and that incredibly primitive way of life, no longer existed.

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About the Walk - I am hiking from Dublin to the Great Blasket Islands in Co. Kerry. I will be sleeping in a tent and it will take approx 30 days to complete the 600km+ journey. Most of this trail is known as “Coast to Coast” but I have always had a fascination and urge to pitch my tent on the Great Blasket Island which is why I will head north upon reaching Killarney.

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Видео The Great Blasket Island Documentary | Walking Around Ireland - Day 28 канала Derek Cullen Outdoors