I have read another book about the Great Blasket Island in Kerry off Ireland's southwest coast.
The book captures the unique childhood of the last child growing up on the island. His nearest person in age was his uncle who was thirty years older than Gearoid Cheaist O Cathain.
He grew up on a island with no doctor, priest, school or electricity.
His memories describe a rural way of life that is now only memory. He was loved and seemed to have a very happy childhood.
One day a newspaper reporter visited the island and took his photo and articles were printed in several national newspapers with the headline title of this blog post.
His family became famous through out the world and the post boy was often seen walking up their path with a bag full of presents and letters. His mother had parcels of clothes sent her and Gearoid opened presents of toys.
People from America offered his father a new life and a job but he declined the generous offer. One American couple offered to adopt him and accommodate him and his parents and one day he would inherit their home place.
The book is set around the same time my father was growing up here in West Cork. Well about twenty years later to be precise. It must have been a similar rural/coastal lifestyle living in the countryside next to the sea, digging turf, shearing sheep, catching lobsters, going to the nearest town for the messages, making hay during long glorious summers and enduring the mizzle and gales of an Irish winter.
The family and the remaining islanders emigrate or move to Dunquin on the mainland.
The book describes the author's education and his life there and visits back to the ruins on the island:
"These gentle souls no longer teach or toil,
Their ruins all that remain,
The barren slopes no more welcome their deeds,
All are gone just like the evening breeze."
Anon.
The book is a fascinating read into a way of life that's gone forever. At least the memories live on in the Blasket Isles books and stories.
I bet their lives felt as if they were full of meaning but there comes a time when the pull of humanity and its relentless move forward draws even the last hangers on. Community is about crtical mass and when that dwindles there is nothing noble in living a life in isolation.
ReplyDeleteWise words Tigger. They had a community which so many people don't have these days. They were self reliant and were also gifted story tellers. Fascinating people.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story Dave. I assume he is the boy writing the book, making it totally authentic. He sounds like he had a happy time.
ReplyDeleteYes you are right Rachel. He had a blissful happy childhood.
DeleteWhat a fascinating story. I love the book cover photo; those faces tell their own story.
ReplyDeleteThe cover caught my eye in the bookshop JayCee. I really enjoyed reading the book.
DeleteThe Blasket islands are known for their gifted Irish language writers says Wikipedia, and you. I really must get hold of one of those books.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Linda. There are lots of gifted writers from the Blasket Islands. I have just received Peig Sayers in English from the Book Depository. We visited her grave in 2020 and I featured it on here.
DeleteThat is a fascinating story, and sad to hear of the way of life ended. Nice for the boy to begin receiving gifts in the mail from people far away.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fascinating story Terry. He received gifts and correspondence for many years.
ReplyDelete