The Blasket Islands
Abandoned in 1953 by a declining population these dramatic islands have captured the minds and imaginations of the world. The way of life, language, stories and ‘béaloideas’ oral tradition of a people living on the edge of Europe have been immortalised in books by the Blasket Island writers Peig Sayers, Tomás Ó Criomhthain and Muiris Ó Súilleabháín. Peig is buried in the graveyard below the road near to Dunquin pier. Remains of the houses on the Great Blasket are visible from the mainland. A few hardy individuals stay on the island during the summer, making crafts or facilitating day trippers. See Blasket Islands
Cé gur thréig muintir an oileáin é i 1953, maireann sliocht An Bhlascaod Mhóir san áit seo tíre fós féin, ag tabhairt spreagadh agus iontais go daoine ar fuaid na cruinne. Leanaimid an slí beatha a bhí acu fós – an teanga, an scéalaíocht, an bhéaloideas. Tá traidisiún béil lucht imeall na hEorpa buanaithe go deo i leabhartha ag scríbhneoirí an Bhlascaoid, Peig Sayers, Tomás Ó Criomhthain agus Muiris Ó Súilleabháin.
Dunquin and Hollywood
Scenes from the 1970 film Ryan's Daughter were shot at Coumeenole Beach (Trá Com Dhíneol) and on the Ceathrú (Ferritersquarter) in Dunquin.The area's then struggling economy was largely revived by the production of the film. Remains of the schoolhouse built for the film can still be seen near the Blasket Island Centre. Ron Howard filmed the village scenes from Far and Away 1992 in An Ghráig beside Clogher Head (Ceann Sratha). More recently Dunmore Head’s craggy coastline made an ideal place to hide Luke Skywalker’s X-wing featured in Star Wars and for the green milk scene on Ahch-To. Film Locations
Bhí tionchar ana láidir ag an scannán Ryan’s Daughter (1970) ar an athbheochan turasóireachta agus eacnaimíocht a tháinig ar an gceantair seo. Déanadh obair ar an scannán ag Trá Chom Dhíneol, agus ar an gCeathrú. Mar aon leis sin bhí baint ag an gceantair le Far and Away (1992) agus níos déanaí, bheartaigh Luke Skywalker ó Star Wars a eitleán X-wing a chur i bhfolach ag an Dún Mór!
Blasket Island Centre
The Blasket Centre / Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir in Dún Chaoin celebrates the story of the Blasket Islanders, the unique literary achievements of the island writers and their native language, culture and tradition.Through exhibitions, interactive displays, artefacts, audio visual presentations and artworks, this fascinating heritage centre/museum honours the unique community who lived on the remote Blasket Islands until their evacuation in 1953.The purpose built centre which opened in 1993 has a restaurant, bookshop, workshop and language rooms in addition to archive facilities.
Déanann Ionad an Bhlascaoid ceiliúradh ar gach aon ní a bhain leis an mBlascaod Mór, ós na scéalta go dtí an slí beatha a bhí acu. Tá gach saghas taispeántas acu, ó iarsmaí, go físeáin, go fuaimrianta agus píosaí ealaíne. Osclaíodh an ionad i 1993 agus tá bialann, siopa leabhar, ceardlann agus teanglann ann mar aon le cartlann.
Dunquin Pier
A steep and winding concrete pathway leads down the cliffs to Dunquin Pier. This is the mainland harbour for the Blasket Islands and tarred canvas covered canoes known locally as ‘naomhógs’ rest on their stands. These small boats, rowed by a crew of three or four men, were used to carry people, livestock and provisions between here and the islands. The stretch of water between Dunquin and the Blasket can be treachorous and many lost their lives here. In summer months a modern ferry brings visitors from Dunquin pier to the main island An Bhlascaod Mór (The Great Blasket).Blasket Island Tours
Téann bóithrín cúng, lúbadh síos na faillte ag Cé Dhún Chaoin, a bhí mar phríomh-chuan do lucht na noileán agus iad ag taisteal sall is anall ar a gcuid naomhóga. Do rámhaíodh triúr nó ceathrar ag an am trasna chun daoine, beostoc agus earraí a sheachadadh go dtí na noileán. Bíonn an stráice mara idir Dhún Chaoin agus an Blascaod dainséarach agus uaireanta marfach, mar a cailleach chun farraige mórán oileánach anseo. Tugann bád farantóireachta cuairteoirí sall ‘s anall go dtí an oileán is mó, an Blascaod Mór, i rith an tsamhraidh.
The Spanish Armada
In 1588 up to 24 ships of the Spanish Armada were wrecked on the Irish coastline between Antrim and Kerry. It is estimated that 6,000 members of the fleet perished in Ireland or off its coasts (Many of the survivors were put to death). A few ships took shelter in the Blasket Sound, the area between Dunquin and the Blasket Islands. On the September 21, 1588 ‘The Santa Maria de la Rosa’ sank here with one survivor of 250 on board. The ‘San Juan de Portugal’ commanded by Juan Martínez de Recalde who had experience of this coast from the 1580 siege at Smerwick Harbour also anchored here. Recalde’s ship returned to Corunna in October 1588. Of 500 men 170 died on the journey. In 1988 a monument to the Armada was erected in Dunquin.
Cuireadh suas le 24 long ó Armada na Spáinne go tóin poill ar chósta na hÉireann sa bhliain 1588. Meastar gur cailleadh 6,000 mairnéalach in Éirinn nó ar an gcósta (daoradh chun báis cuid mhaith de na marthanóirí). Lorg cuid de na báid fothain i mBealach an Bhlascaoid, idir Dhún Chaoin agus na hoileáin. Cuireadh leacht suas i 1988 ag comóradh an nasc seo.
Dun Chaoin
Dun Chaoin or Dunquin stretches along some of the most dramatic vistas of the Slea Head drive on the Wild Atlantic Way. Dry stone built walls and old farm buildings cling precariously to the steep sloping land between the sea cliffs and Mount Eagle. There was a parish church here by the end of the 13th century. The area has been a noted centre for visitors interested in the Irish language and the famous Kruger's bar welcomed many writers, scholars and artists. The Mám Clasach is a steep narrow road that rises up behind Dunquin to bring you over a pass to Ventry. This is a great walk with fantastic views north and south of the peninsula from the top. Walking is the best way to appreciate the stillness and natural beauty of this whole area and there are a number of walk routes here including the Dingle Way. Dingle Way
Síneann Dún Chaoin thar cheann de sraithradharcanna is deise de Cheann Sléibhe ar Shlí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin. Tá na fánaí géara daite os cionn na bhfaillte arda daite le fallaí cloiche agus fothraigh agus seana thithe feirme. Is ionad lárnach an cheantair don Ghaeilge agus tá tábhairne clúite Kruger’s tar éis céad míle fáilte a chur roimis
