The deserted village of Great Blasket

If you’re thinking of taking a trip to Great Blasket Island, then we suggest you take a stroll around its abandoned ruined houses! For the record, Great Blasket Island wasn’t always uninhabited… It was inhabited by a handful of people from 1841 to 1953… before being abandoned…

Today, these incredible remains bear witness to the island’s history… The village can be visited… Its charm lies in the contrast between its dark stones, the greenery of the surrounding valleys, and the deep blue of the surrounding ocean!

Visit the abandoned village of Great Blasket

Deserted homes, facing the ocean!

Great Blasket Island was inhabited by Irish people from 1841 until November 17, 1953, when the local population was forced to abandon the island due to its harsh living conditions.

At that time, there were just 22 inhabitants living on the island. ! In those days, the inhabitants lived mainly from fishing and stockbreeding: a precarious way of life, punctuated by the capricious local climate and the onslaught of the ocean!

The latter were used to being completely cut off from communication during storms. They were then deprived of emergency aid from the mainland and had to fend for themselves, relying on local solidarity.

In addition, the oceanic climate exposed the inhabitants to constant cold and humidity. These inhospitable conditions prompted the Irish government to request their permanent evacuation.

Facing Slea Head, this abandoned village is an incredible vestige of the island’s former colonization.

Today, the houses can still be visited free of charge. Made of stone, they are in varying states of repair: some have only their foundations left, while others seem almost intact! But generally speaking, they’re all roofless.

Don’t hesitate to take a stroll. You’ll discover an authentic place steeped in history. An abandoned village of exceptional charm, where you can stroll and enjoy the majestic scenery of the coast and Slea Head!