Near Dunquin in County Kerry, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)
The Blaskets
This group, the most westerly off the Irish coast, comprises 7 sizeable islands and isolated rocks spread in a line west by south over 2½ miles of the Atlantic, the largest (Great Blasket) 2 miles off shore.
Antiquities of the early Christian period include oratories, crosses and “beehive” cells on Inis Mhicileáin and Inis Tuaisceart, and church ruins on the Great Blasket.
The economy of the islands, based mainly on fishing with some farming, in 1839 supported 13 families - Great Blasket (10), Inis Mhicileáin (2) and Inis Tuaisceart(1). In 1953-54, principally owing to successive bad fishing seasons, the islanders removed to new homes on the mainland.
In the present century members of this small, Irish-speaking community produced such best-sellers as “Peig” (Sayers) and works by O'Sullivan and O'Griffan known in English translations as “Twenty Years Agrowing” and “The Islander”.
Access is by boat from Dunquin pier.
Erected by Bord Fáilte Éireann.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • Landmarks • Natural Features • Natural Resources • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1839.
Location. 52° 7.219′ N, 10° 27.619′ W. Marker is near Dunquin, Munster, in County Kerry. Marker is on Road 559, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at a scenic pulloff about a mile south of Dunquin, on the western edge of the Dingle Peninsula. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dunbeg Promontory Fort / An Dún Beag (approx. 4 kilometers away); Reask Monastic Site / Láthair Mhainistreach an Riaisc (approx. 7.2 kilometers away); Gallarus Oratory / Séipéilín Ghallarais (approx. 9.5 kilometers away); Kilmalkedar Church / Cill Mhaoilchéadair (approx. 11 kilometers away).
Also see . . . Peig Sayers. (Submitted on November 6, 2009.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,473 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on November 6, 2009.