Blasket Memories: The Life of an Irish Island Community

by Pádraig Tyers (Editor)

Blasket Memories presents a powerful insight into the lives of those who lived on the Blasket Island and describes how the island was evacuated in 1953 when their numbers decreased to a point where they could no longer survive as a separate community. The book is based on the writings of Sean O Criomhthain who vividly describes the immense difficulties experienced by the fishing community at the hands of landlords and bailiffs, as they battled with the harsh elements. It also consists of interviews with inhabitants of the island who were eventually forced to leave their homes and live on the mainland.

190 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little book about the people of the Blaskets. Tales of folklore, language, and religion, interwoven with those of a daily struggle to survive on land and at sea. Memories of times both good and bad, of the literary flowering and national recognition of their own. The sadness at leaving, and eventual abandonment for the mainland and beyond. A worthy chronicle for a disappeared community.

[Maria Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, nostalgic and heartwarming account of what life was on the Blasket Islands and what forced the inhabitants to finally leave in the 1950s. Definitely a book worth reading for anyone interested in the fascinating story of these islands that embody so much of the Gaelic soul.

[Belinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I really struggled to maintain focused in this book. It had great stories but the writing style didn't really catch me.
I picked this up on Valencia Island in Kerry, really hoping for something a little different than this was, but that's okay. It's not a bad book, it's just one that didn't really grab me.

[John Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic storytelling...