Out Past the Edge - Visiting the Blasket Islands

Off the tip of the Dingle Peninsula lies one of Ireland’s most hauntingly beautiful places - the Blasket Islands. A string of isles scattered across the Atlantic, the Blaskets are as rich in story as they are in scenery. Once home to a small but fiercely self-sufficient Irish-speaking community, the islands are now uninhabited, but far from empty.

How to Visit the Blasket Islands

The easiest way to reach the main island, An Blascaod Mór (Great Blasket), is via a seasonal ferry or rib boat from the mainland. Most boats leave from Dún Chaoin (Dunquin) Pier, with additional departures from Ventry and Dingle during the summer months (roughly May–September). Weather is key here - sailings are strictly dependent on calm conditions, and crossing the choppy Blasket Sound is not for the faint of stomach.

Booking in advance is advisable, especially during peak season. Several local operators offer trips to the island with return transfers included, and some combine the journey with eco or wildlife tours (dolphin sightings, puffins, and, occasionally, a seal or two).

What to Do on the Island

Once you’ve arrived, there’s only one thing to do - explore! Great Blasket is about 6km long and 1.5km wide, hilly and covered in heather with high cliffs and sandy coves.

Start at the abandoned village, where a community of about 150 people was evacuated in 1953 due to growing safety concerns and isolation, but their presence lingers.

From there, hike the island’s trails. The looped coastal path offers panoramic views out toward the “Sleeping Giant” island and the mainland’s coastline. You’ll likely be accompanied by seabirds and wind rather than tourists.

If the weather permits, head down to Trá Bán, a stunning white sand beach located beneath a headland, where you can paddle or picnic with views that stretch all the way to the Skelligs. Bring sturdy footwear, waterproofs, and your own supplies, as there are no shops or cafés on the island.

The Island of Writers

Here’s where the Blaskets become more than a pretty place. This tiny island community, despite its modest size and isolation, produced a solid literary outpouring that stunned the world. Writers like Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers, and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin recorded their lives in memoirs written in Irish that have since been translated into dozens of languages. Their works offer insight into a way of life shaped by sea, language, and survival.

The Blasket Islanders were, in a sense, Ireland’s last Homeric storytellers.

Before You Go - Visit the Blasket Centre

Even if the boats are grounded by Atlantic squalls, you can still experience the essence of the islands at Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir – The Blasket Centre in Dunquin. This modern interpretive centre offers exhibits on island life, history, language, and literature—plus panoramic views of the Blaskets themselves. It’s the perfect place to start or end your journey.

Routes

Operator & Route	Departure Point	Adult Price (per person)	Child Price	Duration on Island / Tour	Notable Features
Blasket Island Ferries (Lady Avalon)	Dún Chaoin / Dunquin Pier	€50 return (blasketferry.ie, website)	€30 return (under 16) (website, blasketferry.ie)	~4 hours on island; ~20 min crossing	Frequent hourly trips, historic operator
Blasket Ferry & Island Tours	Dún Chaoin / Dunquin Pier	€40 return (other provider) (blasketferryandislandtours.ie)	Likely reduced rate (not specified)	~4 hours on island	Simpler ferry-only service
Dingle Boat Tours – Blasket Ferry	Dingle Marina	€70 per person (Dingle Boat Tours)	€45 (ages 2–12) (Dingle Boat Tours)	~4½ hr total, includes crossing (~50 min each way)	Scenic coastal voyage, onboard wifi
Great Blasket Island Experience	Dingle (speed boat)	€35 per adult for overnight/Dunquin transfer only (Great Blasket Island Experience)	€20 (under 4 free) (Great Blasket Island Experience)	Transfer service; longer stay or overnight options	Includes island accommodation
Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours	Ventry Pier	€97.50 full‑day eco + landing tour (marinetours.ie)	½‑price for under‑12 on morning safari only (sea cruise without island landing) (marinetours.ie)	~3 hrs on island + 4 hr wildlife cruise (All‑Day Tour)	Eco‑tour plus wildlife, dolphins, seals, whales
Blasket Islands Eco Tour only	Dingle or Ventry	From €59 per adult (no island landing) (marinetours.ie)	~€29.50 (under 12) (marinetours.ie)	~3 hour sea safari	Coastal eco cruise with wildlife, no landing

Planning Your Visit

• When to Go: Late spring to early autumn, weather permitting.

• How to Get There: Ferries from Dunquin, Ventry, and Dingle. Book with local operators such as Blasket Islands Eco Marine Tours or Great Blasket Island Ferries.

• Facilities: None on the island. Bring food, water, and appropriate clothing.

• Where to Learn More: https://www.blasket.ie