trips to the blasket islands

A Guide To The Blasket Islands In Kerry: The Ferry, Things To Do + Accommodation

By Author Andy Revell

Posted on Last updated: December 30, 2023

If you’re thinking about visiting the Blasket Islands in Kerry, you’ve landed in the right place.

Ireland is home to many ruggedly remote nooks and crannies, but few are as isolated as the Blasket Islands in Kerry.

Offering a real chance for adventure, or a short trip to a place that time almost forgot, visiting the islands is an incredible experience.

In the guide below, you’ll discover everything from where to grab the Blasket Islands ferry (to the Great Blasket Island) to what there is to see and do on the island.

Some quick need-to-knows about the Blasket Islands

Photo by Danita Delimont on Shutterstock

So, a visit to the Blasket Islands is a little less straightforward that a visit to some of Kerry’s other islands, like Valentia Island . 

Pay particular attention to the ‘getting there’ section, as there are a few different companies offering ferries to the Blaskets.

1. Location

There are 6 principal Blasket islands, all located west of the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. The largest, An Blascaod Mór or the Great Blasket, lies around 2 km from Dunmore Head, on the mainland.

The island of Tearaght is the most easterly point of the Republic of Ireland, though it remains uninhabited.

2. The Great Blasket Island

The name gives it away slightly, but the Great Blasket Island is indeed the largest of the 6 main Blasket Islands. It’s also the one that you can visit, either as a day trip or an overnight stay.

The Great Blasket Island was inhabited until 1953 by a hardy Irish-speaking population of mostly fishermen and farmers. Nowadays, much of the old village lies in ruins, though some houses have been restored and are open for visitors.

3. Getting to the Great Blasket Island

So, you’ll need to take a ferry to the Great Blasket Island. There are a few options to choose from (Dingle and Dun Chaoin ), and we’ll take a look in more detail a little further down. 

I’ll level with you here; the main reason the last inhabitants were forced to abandon the island was because of bad weather.

Open and exposed to the whims of the mighty Atlantic, it can get pretty wild on the island. Ferries don’t sail unless the conditions are good enough, so you’ll need a fine summer’s day if you’re planning to visit.

A speedy history of the Great Blasket Island

Photo by Remizov on Shutterstock

The Great Blasket Island has a long and rich history going back many hundreds of years and it’s widely regarded as one of the best, off-the-beaten-path of the many Kerry attractions .

There’s evidence of a Ferriter castle dating back to the 13th century, but it’s likely that the islands were inhabited much earlier than that. 

Life on the island

With the wild Atlantic crashing upon the shores of Great Blasket Island, conditions were tough. Life was hard, but not without its joys, and for many eventual settlers, it was a welcome change from the hardships they had to endure on the mainland.

Having said that, islanders would have to regularly contend with harsh weather, the 3-mile sea crossing to the mainland, and the long walks to see a doctor or priest. 

Survival and fine traditions

Most families survived by fishing, though sheep and cows were also reared on the island, and some islanders even grew potatoes and oats — though the land wasn’t ideal for agriculture.

Music and dancing played an important role in staving off boredom while storytelling kept their culture alive through the cold winter nights.

Sadly, by the 1940s, extremes of weather, as well as immigration of younger generations, had forced many to leave the island, and on November 17th, 1953, the remaining residents were officially evacuated to the mainland.

The home of literary heavyweights

Nowadays, the Great Blasket Island is known for producing a number of fantastic writers. Three of the most notable examples are; Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin.

Their works vividly tell the tale of life on the harsh island while keeping the ancient folk legends of that rugged land alive. It’s said that the islanders spoke the most poetic form of Irish of all the Irish-speaking regions.

As an Irish-speaking island, their works were originally written in Irish, each with a wonderfully poetic way with words that seems to flow through the blood of the islanders. If you’re not fluent in Irish, you can still enjoy them — here are three favourites:

• Machnamh Seanamhná (An Old Woman’s Reflections, Peig Sayers , 1939)
• Fiche Bliain Ag Fás (Twenty Years A-Growing, Muiris Ó Súilleabháin , 1933)
• An tOileánach (The Islandman, Tomás Ó Criomhthain , 1929)

The Blasket Island Ferry

Photo by Wil Tilroe-Otte on Shutterstock

To get to the Great Blasket Island, there are 2 ferry services, both of which operate throughout the summer months, typically from April until September.

They’ll only sail in good weather though, so if conditions are rough, you’ll have to wait until things settle down a bit.

It’s essential to book your ferry in advance, as spots can get taken up pretty quickly. At low tide, you may have to take a raft to the landing stage of the island, as there’s no pier.

Option 1: The Ferry from Dun Chaoin Pier (April – Sept 24th)

Operated by Blasket Island Ferries , this twin-engine passenger ferry has space for 48 passengers and is fully equipped with lifeboats, life vests, and quality radio gear.

It departs from Dunquin Pier (Cé Dún Chaoin) from 9:50 every day, with crossings more or less every hour — as long as the weather is good anyway!

A return ticket costs €40 for ages 16 and over, and the crossing typically takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on the conditions at sea (check times and prices in advance).

Option 2: The Eco Ferry (April – Oct)

The Eco Ferry , operated by the similarly named Blasket Islands Ferry, is another good choice at around €59.

With space for 44 passengers, the twin-engined craft is up to date with all the required safety features. There’s space on take to look out for sea life along the way.

It sails daily from Ventry, Ceann Trá Pier, with crossing typically taking around an hour. The morning crossing departs at 10:00 and returns at 15:00, while the afternoon crossing departs at 12:30 and returns at 17:30. 

Things to do on the Great Blasket Island

Photo by Madlenschaefer (Shutterstock)

There’s a handful of things to do on the Great Blasket Island that make it well worth venturing over to.

Now, some of these may be hampered by the weather, if you visit when it’s pouring down, but if you visit when it’s fine, you’ll be laughing.

1. Soak up the views (and the silence)

One of the beauties of the Great Blasket Island is that, as it’s a  little  off-the-beaten-path, it doesn’t attract huge crowds.

The beauty of this is that the island is rarely awash with hoards of tourists, so you’ll be able to walk in peach and enjoy the magnificent views of the Kerry coastline.

2. The Blasket Island Looped Walk

The Great Blasket Island Looped Walk is a 3.5 – 4 hour walk that takes you along a very old trail and treats you to magnificent views.

This is a  fairly  handy walk and it’ll suit most fitness levels. Now, for some reason, we can’t find any good guide to this walk online.

If you fancy giving it a go, ask for directions on the ferry over and they’ll be able to point out where to start and what route to take.

3. The Eco Marine Tour

If you’re in search of unique things to do on the Blasket Islands, the Eco Marine Tour should tickle your fancy.

Everything from porpoises and common dolphins to Orcas (occasionally) can be seen in the waters around the Blasket Islands at certain times of the year.

This tour is a great way to see the island from a unique perspective and, if the weather is fine, you’ll be treated to great views throughout. 

4. The most westerly coffee shop in Europe

Photo via Blasket Islands Cafe

Yes, the most westerly coffee shop in Europe. Now there’s a title to be proud of! If you’re on the island and in need of a pick-me-up (or if you’re feeling chilly), head to the cafe.

The Blasket Islands Cafe shot to fame several years ago when it advertised the ‘Best Job in the World’ while looking for two people to live in the island accommodation and run the cafe.

Blasket Island Accommodation

Photo via Airbnb

To truly experience the haunting beauty of the Blasket Islands, you’ve got to spend at least a night or two there.

The Blasket Islands experience is something I keep hearing about over and over again. The cottage sleeps 7, so it’s perfect for a group heading away for a weekend with a difference.

Note: if you book a stay through the links above, we’ll make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

The Blasket Island Centre

Photos via the Blasket Centre on Facebook

To fully enjoy the Blasket Islands, you’ll need to be reasonably fit; there are no roads, no ramps, and it’s mostly wild land.

However, even if you’re not up for the rigours of the island, you can still immerse yourself in its culture and history at the Blasket Island Centre .

Located along the Slea Head drive , you can see the Great Blasket out over the ocean. Within the centre, discover the story of the islands and the people that called them home.

FAQs About the Blasket Islands

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from where to get the Blasket Islands Ferry to whether or not the Great Blasket Island is worth visiting. 

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

Can you stay on the Blasket Islands?

You can stay on the Great Blasket Island, but typically only over the summer months. There are 4 self-catering cottages that have been lovingly restored, but you can also wild camp.

What is there to do on Blasket Island?

The Great Blasket Island is a place to escape the modern world. Here you can truly enjoy an unspoiled nature. There are hiking trails and plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of seals, dolphins, whales and even basking sharks.

You’ll also see a stunning array of birds and other island wildlife. Tours of the abandoned village offer an intriguing insight into the history of the island, and a small cafe provides refreshments.

How do you get to Great Blasket Island?

There are a number of ferries and boat tours that can take you to the Great Blasket Island, departing from a number of ports on the mainland.

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[email protected]    +353 85 2805202

Blasket Island Ferries

dunquin pier

A magical trip to The Blasket Island

SEASON 2024 

9th MAY to 22nd of SEPTEMBER

Relax and soak in the breathtaking views of the most westerly lands in Europe while listening to the calls of the huge number of breeding seabirds such as Puffins, Fulmars, Guillemots, Storm Petrels and Shearwaters. The island is also home to one of the largest Grey Seal colonies in Ireland. Come and enjoy this remote and unspoiled beauty firsthand and we promise you an experience never to be forgotten. The O.P.W offer free guided walking tours around the island village at 11:30am  12:30pm 1:30pm lasting approx 45 minutes.

Ferry Trips from Cé Dhún Chaoin/ Dunquin Pier to

An Blascaod Mór/The Great Blasket Island:

    Trip               Return

 9:50 am           2:15pm

      10:50 am          3:15pm      

11:50am          4:15pm

12:50pm          5:15pm

There are set return times for each trip due to limited seating onboard.  Ticket collection for prebooked seats can be made up to 15 minutes before departure from our blue office at the top of Dunquin Pier. Street parking available at no charge.

A quick 20 minute crossing and visitors get to enjoy approx 3hrs 45mins on the island.  To book your seats please call or email us with your preferred date/departure time and phone number. No need for payment until the day as our service is weather permitting. We will get in touch the evening before your trip to confirm your booking, once we get the latest updates for sea and weather conditions.

*** For those interested in 'Wild Camping ' on The Great Blasket Island, departure times from Dunquin Pier are 2:30pm and 3:30pm and pick up the following day at 10:05am or 11:05am. A fresh water source is available at the island village.  To book your seats, call or email us to check availability for your preferred date/time. 

Please note that the toilet facilities have reopened on the island. We advise bringing  a packed lunch, bottled water, insect repellent, light rain gear (just in case!) and wearing comfortable walking/hiking shoes with good grip. Flipflops and slip-on shoes are not suitable for the trip! 

IMPORTANT INFO!

This trip is not suitable for anyone with mobility/joint issues or for those with heart conditions/recent surgeries. You must be sure of your footing as the pathway down to Dunquin Pier is quite steep, along with  parts of the island terrain which can also be uneven in places. After reaching the island, passengers are required to transfer from the Lady Avalon to an 8 passenge r rib to access the shallower waters at the island slip way and when the tide is low at Dunquin Pier passengers are transported by rib to the ferry which is moored close by.

The ferry trip is suitable for adults and children 7 years of age and above.

A Little About Us

All vessels operated by Blasket Island Ferries are inspected annually by marine surveyors of the Irish Department of Marine. We are a family owned business and operate a passenger ferry 'Lady Avalon' from Cé Dhún Chaoin/Dunquin Pier to An Blascaod Mór/The Great Blasket Island. Over the last thirty years, more than 80% of passengers landing on the island travelled with Blasket Island Ferries.  Our passenger vessel operating from Dunquin Pier to The Great Blasket Island was purpose designed and built as an inshore Island ferry and boasts a comprehensive intergrated electronic navigation package.   

R    * Trip is suitable for adults and children 7 years of age and above.

*Please note that after reaching the island, visitors are transferred from our ferry Lady Avalon to a smaller 8 passenger rib to access the shallower waters of the island slipway.

*As the island terrain is steep and uneven in places we advise that this trip is not suitable for those with heart conditions and/or mobility issues.

     €40 per A dult

 € 30 per Child

Booking is advised!

Ferry service is weather permitting.  

Hourly ferry trips from 9.50am every day (Weather permitting) times may vary due to demand. we strongly advise to email ahead of time to reserve your seats!

Season 2024 runs from 9th May to 22nd September

Suitable for those interested in hiking, walking,birdwatching and nature lovers.

Lots of tracks and trails to follow on the island and a beautiful white sandy beach called An Tra Ban/The White Strand, which is home to one of Ireland's largest Grey Seal colonies. We kindly ask all island visitors to stay a minimum of 50 metres away from the seals. This ensures that they will stay on the beach, undisturbed, so everyone can enjoy seeing them.                 

Testimonials and Reviews

Grabbed the ferry from Dunquin Pier in May with my friends, had an absolutely amazing time! Crew were very friendly and they took great care of us. The island itself was beautiful, very peaceful and we saw hundreds of grey seals up on the beach. Took a guided walking tour around the little island village which was great fun and free! Definitely going back to visit again. Great trip!

Sarah Kenny

I had amazing weekend one of the best in my life and I will remember it for a long time. What a place everyone should visit this beautiful island because words and pictures cant describe atmosphere of Blasket Island. So happy that I had chance to spend time in this little heaven thank you guys for made our trip on the boat more exciting by letting us go to the front of the boat - I did love it!!!

Kasia Katarzyna  

Many thanks to Blasket Island Ferries for a wonderful trip. The staff were helpful and friendly. Booking was very simple especially as contact could be made through FB. I'll definitely make a trip again.

Katherine Ross

Took a boat trip with Blasket Island Ferries with my husband and we had an absolute blast. Very easy to make a booking through Facebook and we were kept updated on weather conditions. Amazing scenery and we did a hike around the first peak on the island. Definitely recommending this trip to all my friends!

Emma  Flaherty

Dunquin Pier, Co. Kerry. Ireland

[email protected]

+353 (85) 2805202

Dunquin Pier to the Great Blasket Islands

Blasket Ferry & Island Tours

Welcome to Blasket Ferry & Island Tours. We provide a ferry service from  Dunquin Pier to The Great Blasket Islands.

We run 3 daily trips from Dunquin Pier to the Blaskets, weather permitting.

Explore the Great Blasket Islands

Welcome to Blasket Ferry & Island Tours. Travel with us and explore the Great Blasket Islands. Our purpose built Ferry, La Gem, was built with the safety and comfort of our passengers as paramount.

Dunquin Pier to Blasket Islands

• Depart: 11:00 AM
• Return: 14:30 PM
• Depart: 12:00 PM
• Return: 15:30 PM
• Depart: 13:00 PM
• Return: 16:30 PM

La Gem is a custom built, fully licensed vessel. It can carry 12 passengers and 2 crew members. It was built by Murphy Marine Services in Valentia with the safety and comfort of our customers as paramount. The skipper is fully qualified and has an experienced deckhand with unsurpassed knowledge of the Blaskets.

Dunquin Pier to The Blasket:

We provide three ferry services a day from Dunquin Pier: For people who would like 3.5 hrs exploring the Great Blasket Islands our ferry departs Dunquin Pier at 11.00 a.m 12.00 p.m and 1.00 p.m and returns at 2.30 p.m 3.30 p.m and 4.30 p.m. The cost of this ferry service is €40 p.p

Blasket Island Gallery

Our Happy Clients!

“Lovely comfortable ferry trip from the beautiful Dunquin Pier to the Blaskets “

“Nice comfortable boat for the journey to the Blaskets.”

“Great to see so many seals from the boat”

Enjoy an Unforgettable Experience on The Great Blasket Islands

Travel with Blasket Ferry and Island Tours 

Call to book Your trip Now

• 087 360 0562

10 Things To Do In Great Blasket Island, Ireland (For 2024)

Categories Kerry , Things To Do

The Great Blasket Island is the largest among the Blasket Islands, which are the westernmost islands off the coast of Ireland. 

This island measures roughly 3 kilometers by 1 kilometer (2 miles by ½ mile) and is predominantly rocky. It is also the westernmost point of Europe and has a long, fascinating history.

Even with its size and remote location, the Great Blasket Island has attracted visitors over the years.

The rustic surroundings and the calm atmosphere attracts tourists who wanted a quick, memorable getaway. Its incredible, unspoiled landscape is the walker’s paradise.

This stunning island is an easy ferry ride from the Dingle Marina .

If you’re up for a unique day tour, here are some of the things to do in Great Blasket Island when you visit. 

Things you'll find in this article

1. Blasket Center

2. eco-marine tour, 3. enjoy the silence, 4. see the ruins in great blasket island, 5. painting and photography, 6. bond with the grey seals, 7. stay in a cottage is one of the best things to do in great blasket island, 8. birdwatching, 9. go on a fishing trip on great blasket island , 10. hike the great blasket loop.

Before you board a ferry to the islands, be sure to stop by the Blasket Center. This is located in Dún Chaoin, right on the edge of the Dingle Peninsula.

The fascinating museum and heritage center is a homage to the people who lived in the Blasket Islands.

These people made up the community that endured the harsh conditions on the island and lived off farming and fishing.

The center has interactive displays and exhibits that showcase life for the island dwellers, their unique culture, and rich literary legacy.

Some of the popular written works about Blasket Islands are The Islandman, Twenty Years A-Growing, and ‘Peig’.

It is a great place to visit that will truly inspire you before hopping on that boat and will make you appreciate the island more once you’re there. 

One of the top Great Blasket Island attractions are the rich marine life in the waters surrounding it.

Most tours offer cruises that take you not just around Dingle Bay or the Great Blasket, but also to some of the most beautiful places in the Wild Atlantic Way .

Within the Dingle Bay and Great Blasket area, you get to experience the thrill of spotting dolphins, puffins, sharks, and whales.

Watch as they playfully jump or swim close by, and be sure to have your camera ready!

The tours will also take you through some of the most stunning sceneries, making it among the best activities to do in Great Blasket Island. 

Once you reach the island, the first thing that you’ll notice is the silence. Time seems to have stopped in Great Blasket and every nature sound is amplified.

The crashing waves, the chirping birds, even the hum of the boats passing or going- they somehow sound different from how you hear them when in the mainland.

If you’re looking for a place to truly relax, this is one of the top things to do in Great Blasket.

Bring a padded mat, pick a spot, then sit or lie down. Nothing is more relaxing than spending time on an island that feels like you have it to yourself. 

The Great Blasket Island and the archipelago where it’s a part of has been around since prehistoric times.

The main island has also been inhabited, but the population dwindled by the early 1950s. The people who used to live here moved somewhere else.

Ruins were left and they are now among the interesting places to see in the Great Blasket Islands.

Stroll through the island’s green roads and you’d come across one of these.

From prehistoric to simple domestic ruins, each tells a fascinating story about life in Great Blasket. They are left untouched and now among the must-see parts of the island. 

A number of those who visit the Great Blasket Island are usually attracted by its literary heritage.

After all, this is the setting of the Irish-language writings of Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Muiris Ó Suilleabhain (also known in English as Tomás O’Crohán and Maurice O’Sullivan), and Peig Sayers.

However, as much as these writers were able to capture island life and its beauty through their words, the island’s unique light is perfect for those into painting and photography.

Bring your art materials or trusty camera, as the island’s stunning landscape begs to be captured.

This is one of the things to do in the Great Blasket Islands that you can literally bring hone with you. Peaceful and unspoiled surroundings are quite memorable. 

Great Blasket Islands may have been mostly abandoned by its permanent human dwellers several decades ago, but one wouldn’t exactly call it uninhabited. The island has quite a variety of wildlife, in and around it.

One of those that are considered to be the best attractions in the Great Blasket Islands are its population of grey seals. These adorable creatures have made the shores of the island their home.

As you walk along the beach, you’ll most likely encounter a pack of them hanging out in the sand, lining the water’s edge.

Apart from the waves crashing, theirs are probably the only other sounds you’ll hear regularly on the beach. 

Most of those who visit the island only stay there for about three to five hours.

They either hike, sit by the rocks and relax or take photos. The island has been uninhabited for decades due to the lack of some basic things like electricity.

Over the years, cottages and a few other accommodations have been set up to encourage visitors to experience island life. They are mostly self-catering and have only the essentials.

Stay for a night or two and experience rustic island life. This is quite an adventure and definitely a unique thing to do in the Great Blasket Island.

With this experience, you get to enjoy a bit of life on the island. You’ll be surrounded by splendid scenery in one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in Ireland. 

The Great Blasket Island’s remote location and landscape have made it a haven for a variety of bird species.

As you stroll along the beach or hike around the loop, you’d most likely encounter these birds. Watch out for snowy owls that you can even see during the day.

You’d most likely hear the seabirds, stonechats, and swallows first before you see them.

But you’ll most likely catch them mid-flight, perched on rocks or about to descend.

Get your cameras ready, as these birds are among the best things to see in Great Blasket Island. 

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by The Great Blasket Island (@greatblasketisland) on Jan 8, 2020 at 4:41am PST

Explore and make the most of your visit to Great Blasket Island by going on a fishing trip.

These trips originate from Dingle Bay. You get to enjoy the sights around the Blasket Islands, spot marine and bird life and try your luck at fishing.

This is one interesting Great Blasket activity that you should definitely try.

Apart from the stunning scenery, you also get to catch some pollock or mackerel with the help of the guide. 

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by The Great Blasket Island (@greatblasketisland) on Sep 28, 2019 at 4:11am PDT

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and see more of Great Blasket by hiking on the loop. This trail goes around the entire Great Blasket Island. It is a moderate to strenuous hike that takes around five hours to complete.

Along the way, you get yo enjoy the stunning scenery that includes its rocky landscape, ancient ruins, beehive huts, and the sandy beach.

The walk also goes up to the summit of the island’s highest point An Cró Mór (292m). It is a scenic climb that lets you see more of the island. Be careful though as there are cliffs around the loop.

A bit of a strenuous hike and a little dangerous, but it is a worthy thing to do in Great Blasket Island that allows you to truly experience it.

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. I also lived in 3 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia to Africa. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.

11 Best Things To Do in Kerry, Ireland - Ireland Travel Guides

Tuesday 5th of May 2020

[…] mystical Great Blasket is the main island of a small archipelago that is part of County […]

• Blasket Islands

Lifejackets & Wet Gear Provided

Booking essential, explore the wonders of the dingle peninsula with our sealife boat tour to the blasket islands, duration 2.5hr departure 9.30am age 9+ ‍, duration 2.5hr departure 12.30pm / 3:30pm age 9+ ‍, duration 2.5hr departure 6.30pm age 9+ ‍, join us for a 2.5 hour, guided boat tour departing from dingle harbour.

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Journey to the Blasket Islands

Join us on a boat tour to this County Kerry wonder

The Blasket Islands-Na Blascaodaí

A boat trip to the Blasket Islands

Famous for its literature, scenery and wildlife, the Blasket Islands in County Kerry offer an unmissable experience for the adventurous traveller. The best way to see them? Jump on a boat tour from Dingle!

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“It’s one of the most dangerous stretches of water in Europe,” says our skipper, Billy. “The currents here can be quite bad, the water rushes in like a river.” We’re bobbing about in the Blasket Sound aboard the “Peig Sayers” Stormforce 11 RIB speed boat as part of the Great Blasket Island Experience tour .

Ahead of us lies the cloud-darkened mass of the Great Blasket Island, which writer Seán Ó Faoláin once described as “wallowing like a whale in the darkening sea”. Its steep slope is strewn with broken-down cottages; a place suspended in the past.

The weather hasn’t been on our side for the trip out here. For more than an hour, we’ve rolled over silver-tipped Atlantic waves that have slapped the boat and caused varying degrees of sea-sickness in some of the passengers on board. We’ve passed ancient forts, jagged sea cliffs and majestic rock formations along the coast of the Dingle Peninsula , but the green faces tell their own story.

“Just sit down when you get onto land,” Billy says kindly as he helps the unwell onto a dinghy for the final journey to the island. “That’s all you can do… it will pass.”

Great Blasket Island © Tourism Ireland

For centuries, the Great Blasket Island was home to a community of people for whom crossing these waters was a way of life. It’s thought that the islands were first inhabited in the 1700s, but by 1954, the population had dwindled from a peak of 176 in 1916 to just 22 – and they were ready to depart for a new life on the mainland.

“There was no option but to leave,” islander Gearóid Cheaist Ó Catháin told the Irish Times in 2014. The isolation of the Great Blasket locals was tested by the death a young man from meningitis; bad weather meant he couldn’t access medical care, nor could they access a coffin for him after his death. “People got scared. They were getting old and the isolation started to get to a lot of them.”

Dinghy to the Great Blasket Islands

Billy helps visitors into the island

Crossing in the dinghy under an ashen sky, it’s easy to appreciate a small bit of the unpredictability of life here, where summers must have been glorious and winters dark and brutal. A simple landing on the island at the small harbour is an adventure in itself. After that, it’s a steep hike up the slippy, jagged rocks, followed by a sharp grassy incline that causes even the fittest of the group to pause for breath.

Great Blasket Island pier

Out in the ocean rises the archipelago of misty-green islands: Inis na Bró, An Tiaracht, Inis Tuaisceart. To our left and right is the abandoned village of broken-down cottages that seem to be slowly being consumed by the landscape. I wait behind as our group trails on up the ridge. It’s suddenly eerily silent but for the mournful bellows from the island’s colony of grey seals.

It’s hard to imagine the Great Blasket as a hive of activity, but at its peak 30 houses were wedged into the side of this hill, as well as cattle, sheep, donkeys and poultry. Smoke would have puffed out of cottage chimneys, villagers would have been hard at work, children’s voices would have been heard.

Today, it’s a different world.

Abandoned village on Great Blasket Island

Tomás Ó Criomhthain’s restored cottage

Usually, a visit to the Blaskets would begin with a tour and talk from an OPW guide, but this is weather permitting, and the rough sea conditions today have limited the amount of boats crossing over. After spending some time exploring the cottages, I decide to undertake the 90-minute walking route around the island’s precipitous hills.

Great Blasket Island hills

The grassy path leads away from the village towards the cliffs and as I venture along, a pack of strange flies dance around my head, my boots are filled with muddy water from several missteps, and the warm, windless air becomes thick with midges.

But what beauty there is here, with heather-flecked hills that tumble down to a flinty sea studded with misty-green islands.

For the 90 minutes I’m walking, I don’t meet a single soul.

Views from the Great Blasket Island

The beauty of the Blaskets has been written about extensively, but while the island is large, the liveable bit of it feels quite small. Instead, the vast bulk of the Great Blasket is made up of cliffs, hills and bog. Living in this environment was challenging, and it wasn’t uncommon for islanders to fall to their deaths. The son of one of the Blasket’s most famous writers , Peig Sayer, died while pulling heather on one of the slopes here in 1920.

As I round the southern edge, the village comes into view and the white of writer Tomás Ó Criomhthain’s restored cottage looks remarkable against the almost otherworldly green of the grass. It’s extravagantly, heart-stoppingly beautiful. I’ve just enough time to walk down to where the cliffs overlook the pale sands of the beach, and sit and watch the seals while having my lunch.

Visitors relaxing on the island

Chris from The Great Blasket Island Experience

Back in the boat, Billy is eager to get us going to see some of the area’s wildlife. With the engine off, we bob about close to shore while the seals pop up their heads as if engaged in an endless game of whack-a-mole.

The grey seal colony here is now the largest in Ireland, but these playful creatures only moved in after the humans left. In the past, they would have been hunted by islanders, who used to roast their meat for food and use their skins and oil.

Seal at the Blasket Islands

Billy hopes we’ll spot more wildlife, but he’s managing our expectations and says he doesn’t fancy our chances. Still, off we set at high speed, heading towards what feels like the horizon. “We’re looking for where the gulls are feeding, where the fish are”, Billy explains as he scans the stony water, eyes narrowed, attention fully focussed.

It feels like we’re suspended between moments of stillness and mad dashes after something imperceptible. Astonishingly, we suddenly find ourselves surrounded by a frenzy of common dolphins, with Billy excitedly telling us how they round their fish into a circle, bunching them tighter and tighter before taking turns to feed.

Dolphin pod

A dolphin's dorsal fin breaching the surface

As we’re enjoying the dolphin activity, a huge sleek, basalt-coloured hump breaches the surface of the water and with it comes an almost overwhelming stench of putrid fish – a minke whale. “That’s why they’re called ‘stinky minkys’m lads. Can you smell him?”, laughs Billy. It’s an exhilarating sight, with all of us transfixed and gasping whenever we see the whale.

Gannet in flight

Sea birds swoop overhead, and Billy points out manx shearwaters, storm petrels and gannets, who torpedo the water around us. He’s hoping for a humpback to make an appearance, but we’re all so high on wildlife, we don’t care. “Wow, lads, look at that,” Billy suddenly shouts.

“It’s a skua – wow, that’s so rare, that’s a much better sight than the minke whale.” We watch as the great skua – often described as the pirate of the sea – harasses a smaller bird in an effort to get it to drop or regurgitate its food, which it then scoops up.

Sea arch, Dingle Peninsula

Cliffs near Dingle

Nobody minds when, after around an hour, Billy suggests we head back to town. We know we’ve done well. A satisfied calm takes over the boat as we chug our way to Dingle under royal blue skies, stopping to spend a few moments under the incredible sea cliffs and craggy sea arches on the peninsula’s coastline.

Stepping off the boat in Dingle, we’re all exhausted but utterly delighted with ourselves. It feels like the day has been spent on another planet, and it takes a while to adjust to the busy town. But a few hours later, sitting around the crackling warmth of the fire at Foxy John’s , I’m already planning my return.

The Blaskets keep calling.

Where do you want to go?

Do you feel like tasting wild Atlantic sea spray on your lips? Strolling through vibrant city streets? Exploring ancient ruins? Right this way…

The Great Blasket Island Experience – Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Welcome to the great blasket island experience., over 1,100 acres of unspoiled largely mountainous terrain, the great blasket island is approximately 4 miles long by 1/2 mile wide. home to an abundance of wildlife and fauna, the great blasket island is thriving with irish history and life..

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Occupied from pre-history, the island overlooks the location where a number of Spanish Armada ships were wrecked. The small farming and fishing community exceeded a population of 150 in the early 20th century, but had dwindled to a small number when the island was vacated in 1953. The old village above the Trá Bán (White Strand) is situated on the north-eastern side of the island, facing the mainland and Slea Head.

Eco Tour Experience from Dingle Marina to Great Blasket Island

Great Blasket Island Experience RIB – “The Peig Sayers” – departs  Dingle Marina daily at 11 am. Full day tour is approximately 6 hours long (duration may vary depending on wildlife) and is the best way to see The Great Blasket Island and Dingle Peninsula. Catch many sighting along the way, such as: 

• Fungie The Dolphin (residential Dingle Dolphin)
• Stunning geology of the coastline
• Up close experience of cliffs and caves
• Abundance of birdlife
• Landing on the breath-taking Great Blasket Island, a place steeped in nature, beauty and history.

Our unmissable day experience includes what every boat trip offers on the Dingle peninsula in one tour – With both indoor and outdoor seating, this fast boat RIB experience incorporates speed, comfort and safety. Voted number one Boat Tours & Water Sports activity in Dingle Peninsula via Tripadvisor. 2018.

Book Boat Trip to the Great Blasket Island

Great Blasket Island self-catering accommodation

Simple self-catering  accommodation  is available in five restored houses at the top of the old Blasket Island village. Lodgings are equipped with basic amenities, but no more than what is needed to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing getaway.

Book Great Blasket Island Accommodation

Blasket Islands

Dingle Peninsula

The Blasket Islands (Na Blascaodaí), 5km offshore, are the most westerly part of Ireland. At 6km by 1.2km, Great Blasket (An Blascaod Mór) is the largest and most visited. Day trippers come to explore the abandoned settlements, watch the seabirds, picnic on Trá Bán (a gorgeous white-sand beach near the pier) and hike the island's many trails.

Dingle Boat Tours and Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours run seasonal boat trips. Confirm ahead as adverse weather can cause cancellations.

All of the Blaskets were lived on at one time or another; there is evidence of Great Blasket being inhabited during the Iron Age and early Christian times. The last islanders left for the mainland in 1953 after they and the government agreed that it was no longer viable to live in such harsh and isolated conditions, although today a few people make their home out here for part of the year.

Note there are no camping facilities on the islands; just a handful of self-catering cottages .

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Blasket Islands

• 1 Understand
• 3 Get around

The Blasket Islands ( Na Blascaodaí ) are an archipelago off the Dingle peninsula of County Kerry . They've had no permanent residents since they were evacuated in 1953, but in summer Great Blasket the largest island has a couple of rangers-cum-caretakers, self-catering cottages, and camping is permitted.

Understand [ edit ]

These rugged islands are the most westerly parts of Ireland, dashed by the Atlantic. They've become symbolic of remoteness and isolation, in both a positive and a negative light - yet they're not. Their main village at the northeast end of Great Blasket is ony 2 km from the mainland, so in calm conditions you can reach it by kayak, sail-board, SUP-board, you could just about swim. But then, it might less than calm going back. In winter the ocean rages for weeks on end, there's no harbour and the anchorage becomes unsafe; nothing for it but to drag the boats well up the beach and hunker down. Bygone ages had lower expectations, but when in 1953 a young man died for want of medical help that was almost within hallooing distance, then something needed to change.

The positive side was the sturdy self-reliance of the islanders. They had fishing, grazing for livestock, garden vegetables, and seabirds eggs. They grew potatoes but were never dependent on them and fared well during the Great Famine, indeed mainland families relocated here. They spoke only Irish, in a distinctive dialect that scholars were keen to record. They produced a remarkable series of writers, notably Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin. And the place had no strategic value so they were never colonised or garrisoned: even Cromwell couldn't be bothered, nor Queen Victoria's squadrons of muskets and moustachios. Nationalist writers therefore romanticised the Blaskets as a pure survival of unconquered ancient Irish land, people and lore. If only the rest of the country would emulate these isles, and subsist on hand-weaving and left-over cabbage, what a blessed Tír na nÓg an Ireland unshackled from Britain could become.

The negative side was a harsh life scratching a living from rugged land and hazardous sea, living in crude cottages without basic sanitation or other utilities, in a very small, inward-looking community. In the unlamented days when the English made jokes about the Irish, the Irish made similar jokes about Kerry folk, and Kerry folk joked about Blasket islanders; then the Blasket folk enjoyed a chain of mock and mirth all the way down to the outermost islands. The population peaked at some 160 in the 1911 census then went into sharp decline; by 1951 only two dozen remained. After a particularly wretched spell in 1953, the government agreed to evacuate them before another winter closed in. The final boat party had to abandon their heavy belongings on the beach when yet another storm broke. Thereafter the islanders returned in summer for grazing, with their sheep and cows making a ruckus in the boats, but there were no permanent inhabitants except the three lighthouse keepers of Tearaght until that was automated in 1986.

The islands geologically are a continuation of Dingle peninsula, mostly of Devonian sandstone. Except for low-lying Beginish they rise abruptly, hence the lack of harbours, with sea caves at their base, and are lashed by sea spray, rain and sleet but seldom snow. There are no trees or peat-bogs, so fuel was always a problem. Salt-tolerant vegetation clings to the slopes, with little invasive flora such as bracken. Sea birds roost on all the islands and outlying stacks, especially storm petrels and Manx shearwaters, plus puffins, chough, kittiwake and fulmar. There are no rats, which would make short work of the ground-nesting birds, so it's essential to keep it that way. Around 2002 someone thought it a bright idea to introduce hares to Great Blasket, where they thrive. Their impact appears tolerable but whether they should remain is a question.

There have long been hopes (shared by the Blasket diaspora) of safeguarding the islands as a National Park, but long-established property rights have thwarted this. The Office of Public Works nowadays owns most of the property and can block unwelcome developments, so de facto it is a park. You wouldn't want a rash of holiday cottages here or a busy helipad. That said, the Blasket Islands are not wilderness but remote farmland. Low-intensity upland farming created their landscape and is part of what needs to be preserved.

Get in [ edit ]

52.14 -10.272 1 Dingle is the only town of any size on the Dingle peninsula. Boats sail in summer, weather permitting, from there or from the smaller nearby harbour of Ventry or 52.12416 -10.46044 2 Dunquin pier . Some of these are simply ferries, they take you there and back and leave you to do your own thing, reckon €55 pp. Others are boat trips, puttering round the islands and pointing out this and that. And some are complete packages, facilitating stays on the islands, guided walks and so on.

Boat operators (who offer other trips) in 2021 include Dingle Boat Tours , Great Blasket Island Experience , Blasket Island Ferries [dead link] , and Eco Marine Tours .

The ride out takes 50 min from Dingle, 40 min from Ventry and 20 min from Dunquin, in small bouncy open boats where you're likely to get sprayed. The islands lack harbours - one reason for their evacuation - so you transfer to an even smaller boat to scramble ashore. Wear stout hiking boots, and come prepared for changes of weather, there's no shelter. Dogs are permitted on the leash.

Get around [ edit ]

Getting between islands can be even more difficult than reaching them from the mainland, and there are tragic examples of islanders starving to death while others got by but were unable to send help. All the main islands have a traditional landing cove (but by no means a pier) sheltered from the prevailing southwesterly weather but precarious when the wind lies in other quarters. But in fair weather this isn't rufty-tufty navigation and, with one eye always on the conditions, the Blaskets are well within the range of competent amateur mariners: use a Rib / Zodiac capable of being beached.

Hike everywhere on the islands that a human can safely set foot. Great Blasket has a grassy cart track or boreen , still used by tractors, otherwise it's just narrow sheep-trails. Islanders occasionally used carts but more often loaded ponies and donkeys with paniers. Tis said you could always spot them on the mainland, as they would persist in walking single-file even along the broad boulevards of Tralee.

Biking isn't forbidden but the tracks are unsuitable and the boats won't carry bikes. Even a mountain bike would frankly be an encumbrance both aboard or ashore.

See [ edit ]

• On the mainland: Dunquin or Dún Chaoin has the Blasket Centre , an exhibition on island life, and views down a corridor likened to "looking through a stone telescope". Some boat trips sail from here. Two km south, Dunmore Head looks onto the archipelago: the channel is only 2 km wide at this point. Lure Island just off the Head isn't considered as one of the Blaskets.
• Wildlife on the boat ride: always keep looking! Fungie the Dolphin is no longer with us but other dolphin sightings are common, and you never know what strange marine beast may briefly swim into view. Even if they don't show up, they're doing you a favour, as keeping your eyes on the horizon will help to minimise sea-sickness.
• Illaunbaun and Carrigfada are the two islets seen north of the landing area. Nothing there but more seabirds.

• Dark skies: day-trippers must be gone long before dusk draws in. Overnight visitors need a clear sky and true nightfall, which in mid-summer might be around 23:00. But then the Milky Way and other celestial objects will swim into view as never before.

Do [ edit ]

• Hiking on Great Blasket you start from the east landing beach of An Tra Ban. Follow the track along the shoulder of the ridge: it loops both sides of the two closest hills, so you might want to walk northside outbound for shelter, and southside on return with the wind and westering sun at your back. Conversely, you might prefer a breeze to deter the confounded midges. The hike is 4 km via Slieve Donagh (281 m) to An Cro Mor at 292 m / 958 ft the highest point in these islands. From here the mainland is out of sight and the ridge dwindles for another 2 km, with the outer islands and Atlantic beyond. But it's not worth coming if the tops are socked in by low cloud.
• Hear whale-song: it's likened to the groaning of an old woman, and comes from northern minkes. Much of the song is infra-sound below the human auditory range, and a banshee-screech comes not from whales but shearwaters. Minkes are hard to spot as they have low fins and blow-jets, and don't breach or up-flukes.

Buy [ edit ]

You need to be self-sufficient.

Eat [ edit ]

In summer there's a small cafe in the village.

Drink [ edit ]

There's running water on tap in the village, otherwise it's spring water (preferably from a source that the sheep don't use as a bidet) or what you carry with you.

Sleep [ edit ]

Three modern cottages are available on Great Blasket for self-catering; they may arrange breakfast. They have running water, gas cookers and fuel-burning stoves. They have no electricity, hence no lighting, and showers are cold. Overnight guests are prioritised on the Dunquin crossing in Peig Sayers (and get a lower fare), while other boats are often fully booked by day-trippers. These cottages are not available in 2021, and no longer run as a hostel.

Camping is permitted anywhere, the challenge is to find level ground. Most campers pick somewhere near the village facilities, but the midges will find you wherever you pitch.

Connect [ edit ]

As of May 2021, the mobile signal is patchy but you should manage 4G from all Irish carriers on the boat ride and on all islands except Tearaght. Great Blasket village has facilities for phone charging.

Go next [ edit ]

• Back to your port of departure it must be.
• Other nearby islands such as Valentia will seem tame by comparison. For a really remote and memorable experience, try to reach Skellig Michael .

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Blasket Island Tours

Take the blasket island ferry, blasket eco tour or wildlife rib adventure from dingle, ireland.

Looking to enjoy a boat tour around Blasket Island? Join us in County Kerry, Ireland and learn about the history, geography and wildlife of the culturally-rich Blasket Island area. Book your trip on for one of our island adventures from Dingle, Ireland now!

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Dingle Boat Tours Wildlife RIB Adventure

Take an exhilarating tour around the most westerly islands in Europe, where you will encounter magnificent cliffs, hidden sea caves and fascinating wildlife, including puffins, seals, dolphins, and maybe even whales (wildlife sightings vary according to the season). Book your tour today and experience the thrill of a lifetime!

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Blasket Island Eco Tour

Come with us on this one-of-a-kind educational Blasket eco tour experience! Watch out for dolphins, whales, seals, and other marine life as the guide informs you on the history and folklore of the unique society that was formed on the Blasket islands. Book online today!

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Blasket Island Ferry

Looking for a unique island tour with a bit of history? Then this Blasket Island ferry tour is perfect for you! Enjoy a spectacular hike around this rugged and breathtaking location, explore the abandoned village or take a stroll on the beautiful White Strand. Book online!

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Blasket Island Sea Life Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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DINGLE DOLPHIN BOAT TOURS   

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Boat Tours in Dingle

Looking for a fun tour in Dingle full of interesting history and breath-taking scenery? Come join us on one of our top-class adventure boat tours that you soon won’t forget

Blasket Island Adventure Tour

Looking for something different while on holiday in Dingle town? Our Blasket Island Adventure Tour is filled with breathtaking scenery and history you won’t want to miss.

New on offer this season is this spectacular tour to see Irish marine wildlife such as different species of seals, dolphins, whales, sharks and sea birds. 

Suitable for all age groups, our Mini Eco-Tour takes you out beyond Dingle Harbour to experience the magnificent cliffs and other landmarks and fascinating local history.

Recommended for families, day-trippers or anyone who wants a taste of Dingle from the water. Our 45 min to 1 hour cliff tour is full of amazing views and plenty of local history.

New this season we are offering a golden hour cruise around Dingle bay with spectacular views and a complimentary glass of prosecco.

Looking for a private tour out on the water? Hire a private boat for you, friends and family. This tour is also suitable for groups such birthday parties, hens and stags.

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Established in 1987, Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours are the longest running boat tour association in Dingle with over 30 years’ experience on the sea

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“Great Craic and Stunning views ”

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“The best tour in Dingle”

Great 1hr Dingle harbour cruise, very COVID friendly. The skipper & tour guide were very welcoming, full of local knowledge & enthusiastic. Fab views of all sides of the harbour, lots of cool little history facts along the way too. We went as a pair, Would definitely recommend for families too!

Joanne M – Oct’21

“what an experience to have”.

We booked the Eco Tour as we have 3 young children, 2,4 and 6. It was 2hrs and a perfect length of time for them. The boat and everyone on it were nicely spaced out, our guide was Brilliant. Very funny and friendly with lots of stories and history to tell. He was as excited as the rest of the tour when we finally spotted Dolphins. When booking I thought it was a bit expensive but after the experience it was completely worth the price.

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Irish couple begins 'dream job' as Great Blasket Island's new caretakers

Irish couple emma melay and darren mcfadden were selected from hundreds of applicants to become caretakers on great blasket island this year..

Emma Melay from Co Wexford and Darren McFadden from Co Kildare have begun their coveted roles as this year's caretakers on An Blascaod Mór (The Great Blasket Island) off the coast of Co Kerry.

Melay, 26, and McFadden, 34, shared a peek into their first week living as caretakers on the remote Irish island on social media on Monday, April 8:

First week as Island caretakers! Looking forward to meeting you all 😊☀️ pic.twitter.com/6W2RqWt33b — Great Blasket Island (@gbisland) April 8, 2024

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The adventurous couple, who met while teaching at the same school in Co Kildare, was selected by Alice Hayes and her partner Billy O'Connor to be caretakers on the island for the 2024 season, which runs from April 1 through October 1.

McFadden told RTÉ News last month that he and Melay decided to take a career break two years ago, buy a campervan, and travel around Ireland. The couple, who had never been to An Blascaod Mór but had worked on Inis Oírr off the coast of Co Galway, applied for the caretaker roles while walking the Camino in Spain and Portugal last October.

"We both love teaching and we do miss it, but we gave up our jobs just to see where we'd end up, and we’re loving it so far," McFadden said.

"We didn’t think we’d end up here now and taking on this particular new adventure."

The couple was among 300 applications received by Hayes and O'Connor, who own the holiday cottages and coffee shop on the Great Blasket Island.

"Emma and Darren came across really down to earth, easy to chat to, and enthusiastic about the role," Hayes told RTÉ News.

"When we FaceTimed in January, they were sitting in Darren’s grandmother's house, located in a remote part of Donegal, and explained how they enjoyed going without basic amenities, no Wi-Fi, etc., a similar setup to the Island, which stuck in our heads."

Great Blasket Island. (Ireland's Content Pool)

• Great Blasket Island ‘dream job’ 2024 application open for only a few more days

In recent years, the application process to become caretakers on The Great Blasket Island has gone viral with people from all around the world vying to be selected for the 'dream job.'

The job involves managing the coffee shop and the four holiday cottages on the island, though Hayes and O'Connor have cautioned that it is not a "holiday job" and that the season can get "very busy."

While all food and board is included with the position, the living is simple - there is no electricity or hot running water on the island.

Speaking with the Irish Independent last month, Hayes explained: “The caretakers scheme was unintentional, we never planned anything like it.

“We had a friend helping us with it back in 2014 and when he moved away, we wanted a caretaker for the holidays.

"We didn’t expect anyone to want to willingly go off to an island with no hot water or electricity for all these months.

"But we found out that a lot of people are actually interested in it, especially during Covid.”

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