Great Blasket is the largest of the seven Blasket Islands and the only one with even a temporary human presence. The island was inhabited continuously until 1953, when the last 22 residents were evacuated and resettled on the mainland. The abandoned village still stands in various states of ruin on the eastern slope, with a handful of cottages restored to house summer caretakers and the small visitor centre.
A foot ferry runs from Dunquin pier between April and October, weather permitting — the crossing takes about 20 minutes and is regularly cancelled. The walk up the island spine takes about an hour each way and gives wide views over the Atlantic and back to the mainland. There is no electricity, no shops, no overnight option for casual visitors. Seals haul out on the white-sand strand below the village; dolphins and basking sharks pass offshore in summer.