Dingle proved to be a wonderful combination of sandy beaches, ancient stone forts and beehive dwellings, pottery makers and
mountain scenery, and the Blasket Islands at the western end of Dingle.
We didn't get to go out to the Islands but we went through the Blasket Center near the town of Dunquin dedicated to telling the history of the Great Blasket Island's inhabitants. The islanders struggled to eke out a living in a harsh oceanside environment; no one has lived on the island since 1953. An unexpected bonus: Julia found an exhibition photo of a Blasket Islander watching a Red Sox game on TV. It seems a large number the former Blasket Islanders settled in Springfield, Mass. It's interesting that they moved so far inland; maybe to intentionally leave behind memories of the ocean.
'The Islandman' by Tomas O'Crohan
was written by the most noted writer from the Great Blasket. O'Crohan lived on the Island from 1856 to 1937. His book is a fascinating account of the primitive lifestyle and daily challenges to survive on the Island.
During Summer there are regular boat rides available to the Island.
Note the narrow, barely two lane road with no breakdown lane. This was typical of the mountain roads in the West.
