Blasket Islands, Ireland

In Ireland, there is the empty Blasket archipelago, which flourished until the middle of the last century. Today, you can only see dilapidated houses and occasional herds of grazing animals. The history of the archipelago is very interesting. The first mention of it dates back to 5-6 AD. The discoverer of the islands was the world famous seafarer Saint Brendan Klonfertsky, who first set his foot on the picturesque island. Already in the 13th century, the fortress was built on the largest island of the archipelago. After that, settlements gradually appeared.

The locals has long been prizing an island because of the fertile soil that is ideal for agriculture, as well as extensive meadows that are perfect for grazing livestock. Many locals were engaged in fishing. During its heyday, the scenic archipelago resembled a real paradise. It was until the mid-20th century. In 1953, local residents were forced to leave their homes due to the harsh climatic conditions that bore a direct threat to residents' lives.

In 1953, all the locals were completely evacuated and transported to the Dingle Peninsula. Today, the Blasket Islands are uninhabited. In recent years, several old stone mansions were restored there. In summer, local farmers live there. All the rest of the island is empty. When the picturesque archipelago started to attract tourists, it was decided to build several mini-hotels there. They can’t boast with an abundance of facilities and services, but fans of rest in unusual places may spend on the islands a night or two. Next - Stromness Whaling Station