Blasket Islands

Ray Stagles was born and brought up in Leyton, east London. He studied at University College London, evacuated to Aberystwyth, and there met his future wife, Joan. They both took Honours degrees in English in 1942. He served as a radar mechanic in the Fleet Air Arm until 1946. After the war he taught in schools in Essex, then became a Head Teacher, first, in 1957, in Shropshire, then, from 1964, in Berkshire. In 1966 he and Joan first visited the Great Blasket Island, which from then on became their joint passion. His interests included hill walking, books, jazz, classical music, theatre, cryptic crosswords and scrabble. Ray died in 2016.

Introduction by Lorcán Ó Cinnéide p7



Preface 11



Part One: The People of the Blasket Islands





‘The like of us will never be again …’ 17
How Outsiders Saw the Islanders 39
Leaving the Island 59


Part Two: The History of the Blaskets





The Origins of the Island Community 71
The Island Families 87
The Blaskets during the Famine 101


Part Three: The Built Environment on the Great Blasket Island





The Harbour 117
The Island Village and its Houses 133
The Development of the Field System 153


Part Four: Other Lives





The Outer Islands 171
The Islands’ Wildlife 189
The Evacuation 209


Practical Information 219



Appendix 221



Acknowledgments 231



Notes 232



Illustration Sources 237