islands in ireland – Sues Wanderings

Ireland of course is an island and it is surrounded by smaller islands. Some inhabited and some not. While in Ireland I went to 4 islands The first one off of Doolin was one of a group of Aran islands and I wrote about it here. /https://sueswanderings.com/2019/05/26/ireland-part-1-in-doolin/

Another one we went to that you can actually walk onto was Abbey island at Derrynane bay. I wrote about that one herehttps://sueswanderings.com/2019/06/16/derrynane-bay-ireland

We also went to Skellig Michael islands however we did not get to embark on the island as it was nesting season which made for seeing thousands or birds.

The magnificent Skellig Islands lie 8 miles (12 km) off the coast of Portmagee in South West Kerry. Rising majestically from the sea, Skellig Michael towers 714ft. (218 metres) above sea level. On the summit of this awe-inspiring rock you will find a remarkably well preserved sixth century monastic settlement. On the spectacular Small Skelligs 23,000 pairs of gannet nest on every available ledge making it the second largest gannet colony in the world. A visit to this major tourist attraction may well be the highlight of your holiday.

Photos of the boat ride out to Skellig Michael.

Tons of birds on these islands and flying all around them and in the water.

My favorite island was Blasket Island .

The Blasket Islands
This rugged group of six islands (Na Blascaodai) off the tip of Dingle Peninsula seems particularly close to the soul of Ireland. The population of Great Blasket Island (An Blascaod Mór), home to as many as 160 people, dwindled until the government moved the last handful of residents to the mainland in 1953. Life here was hard. Each family had a cow, a few sheep, and a plot of potatoes. They cut their peat from the high ridge and harvested fish from the sea. There was no priest, pub, or doctor. Because they were not entirely dependent upon the potato, they survived the famine relatively unscathed. These people formed the most traditional Irish community of the 20th century—the symbol of ancient Gaelic culture.

A special closeness to an island—combined with a knack for vivid storytelling—is inspirational. From this primitive but proud fishing/farming community came three writers of international repute whose Gaelic work—basically tales of life on Great Blasket Island—is translated into many languages. You’ll find Peig (by Peig Sayers), Twenty Years a-Growing (Maurice O’Sullivan), and The Islander (Thomas O’Crohan) in shops everywhere.

The island’s café and hostel have closed down, and today Great Blasket is little more than a ghost town overrun with rabbits on a peaceful, grassy, three-mile-long poem.

This island made me feel like I was in the Caribbean as the color was so Caribbean blue and clear . Only difference is that it is a bit colder. Not an island you will see people sunbathing and swimming on . You can spend the night here in one of 2 rustic cabins. You need to bring what you need as they only have the little cafe for snacks and coffee. No electricity either. But, I imagine the star gazing would be amazing if you can catch it on a clear night !!

There is a couple who stays all summer and runs the little cafe and cleans the cottages. There is also this lady who stays all summer and collects and spins wool from the island sheep. Making scarves and hats. I bought a hat from her.