Dunquin, Co. Kerry
Description
Located on the tip of the Dingle Peninsula, this center is devoted to the people who lived on the remote Great Blasket Island. The island was truly the last bastion of Irish culture. Its people lived in the old way, carrying on the traditions of singing, dancing, and storytelling. It is said that the day came when there was just one child remaining on the island with the old folk, and this child was the loneliest child in the world. They people finally left the island and settled within the mainland community.
The Great Blasket is also known as the island of writers because of the extraordinary amount of literature produced by its people, including such classics as “The Islandman,” “Twenty Years A-Growing,” and “Peig.”
See photographs of the people as well as a video presentation about the island.
The center features a bookshop operated by An Caife Liteartha, Dingle’s exclusive Irish-speaking café.
How to get there
By car:
From Dingle, take Slea Head coastal drive to Dunquin. It is the largest building in Dunquin, so you can’t miss it.
By bus:
From Dingle or Ballyferriter, take Bus Eireann #276, Monday and Thursday only. See www.buseireann.ie website for all current travel details and restrictions.
Opening times
Open daily.
April – June: 10AM-5.15PM.
July – August: 10AM -6.15PM.
September – end of October: 10AM-5.15PM.
Admission fees
Adults: 3.70 euro
Senior Citizen: 2.60 euro
Student: 2.60 euro
Family: 8.70 euro
Address
The Great Blasket Centre,
Dun Chaoin,
Baile an Fheirtéaraigh,
Tralee,
Co. Kerry
Tel: (0)66 9156444
Email: micheal.demordha@opw.ie
Written by Liz O' Malley - Summer of Travel 2007