17 Jan The Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands
The Blasket Islands, located in County Kerry, are red sandstone rocks sprawled in the Atlantic, two miles beyond the westernmost tip of the peninsula.
The smaller islands are Beginish, Youngs Island and Illaunboy. The big islands are Inishmore, Inish na Bro, Inishvickillane, Inishtooskert, and the Great Blasket.
The Great Blasket Island off the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, is known for its historic, cultural and literary heritage. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, native Blasket writers produced books which have become classics.
The island was abandoned in 1953 when only 22 inhabitants remained and has been designated a National Historic Park. The Dingle Penninsula is located in the Kerry county.
There is also a great sea rock, the Tearaght, 19 hectares long and 602 feet high, and a multitude of lesser rocks and reefs.
Ruined hermitages and forts which exist on several of the islands, show that they were occupied in early historic times. The marauding Vikings were undoubtedly familiar with the Blaskets and may even have had bases in the area in the 9th and 10th centuries.
For its beauty, oddity, and history, the Blasket Islands are a must-see on a tour of Ireland.
Ireland Luxury Tours will find the hidden gems as well as the prominent tourist attractions.