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Blasket Islands

Uninhabited islands off the west coast of County Kerry, Ireland

Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Copyrighted free use

Overview

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.

Getting there and around

Getting there

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 Dunquin pier.

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Getting around

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.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Kerry Airport

Farranfore · Regional · KIR

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Articles and travel topics about Blasket Islands and Ireland.

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Itineraries

Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way is a scenic driving route along Ireland's west coast, covering over 2,500 km (1,600 mi) from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Old Kinsale Head in Cork.

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UnderstandThese 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.

Get inDingle 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 Dunquin pier.

Get aroundGetting 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.

See

Buy

EatDitto, you need to be self-sufficient. The cafe in Great Blasket village is closed.

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

SleepFour modern cottages are available on Great Blasket for self-catering. They have running water, gas cookers and fuel-burning stoves. They have no electricity, hence no lighting, and showers are cold.

ConnectAs of July 2026, 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.

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Valentia

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Blasket Islands" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Blasket Islands", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Great Blasket Island houses.jpg, Copyrighted free use via Wikimedia Commons

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