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Lorcán Ó Cinnéde, Manager, Ionad an Bhlascaoid, with Katy Morris Roe, OPW, left, Mary Stack, Fáilte Ireland, with The Minister for State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan, re-opened the iconic Blasket Centre (Ionad an Bhlascaoid) in Dún Chaoinon Monday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
A NEW visitor experience has officially opened at the Blasket Islands, following an investment of €2.9million from Fáilte Ireland, the Office of Public Works and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Minister for State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan and Máire Ní Shúilleabháin Uí Chíobháin, daughter of famed Blasket author Muiris Ó Súilleabháin, re-opened the iconic Blasket Centre (Ionad an Bhlascaoid) in Dún Chaoin on the Western edge of the Dingle Peninsula.
Adjacent to the recently opened viewing platform with spectacular views over the Blasket Islands, the project includes a total transformation of the Centre’s exhibitions to deliver an authentic, and imaginative re-telling of the story of the Blasket islands, their rich heritage and their literature which is of national and international significance.
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The Blasket Centre is a flagship visitor attraction for County Kerry and is expected to attract 63,000 visitors to the region by Year 5 of opening.
Fáilte Ireland, the Office of Public Works and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have together invested €2.9million in the Centre.
The Centre has been designated as a Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point, and together with the walkway and viewing platform, which opened to the public in 2020, offers dramatic views of the Blasket Island archipelago and the Atlantic coastline.
Cast In the Shadows…Seán Ó Cearna, the youngest and only living Blasket Islander, looking at his Uncle, Seán Sheáin Í Chearnaigh Islander, with The Minister for State, ( Office of Public Works) Patrick O’Donovan, cast in the shadows of an illustration of Blasket Islander, at the Official opening of Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir, Daingean Ui Chúis, Co Chiarraí /The Blasket Centre on Monday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
The Centre provides direct employment for 20 people when in operation and will support over 250 additional jobs in this Gaeltacht region.
Welcoming the official opening of the centre, Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin TD said; “The story of the Blasket Islands is one of great interest to domestic and international audiences. The renewed visitor experience at the Blasket Centre is an exciting and imaginative opportunity for visitors to engage with the richness of that culture.”
Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, added: “I am delighted to reopen the Blasket Centre – Ionad an Bhlascaoid – here in Dún Chaoin today. It is a stunning piece of architecture in itself and is now home to a totally new exhibition that tells the story of the Blasket Islands in an imaginative multi-media experience. It also pays homage to the significant cultural footprint the islanders left in a series of books documenting their lives.” Scroll down for photos…
The Minister for State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan and Máire Ní Shúilleabháin Uí Chíobháin (centre), daughter of famed Blasket author Muiris Ó Súilleabháin, and Katy Morrisroe, OPW, who re-opened the iconic Blasket Centre (Ionad an Bhlascaoid) in Dún Chaoin on Monday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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Máire Ní Shúilleabháin Uí Chíobháin, daughter of famed Blasket author Muiris Ó Súilleabháin, at the re-opening of the iconic Blasket Centre (Ionad an Bhlascaoid) in Dún Chaoin on Monday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Islanders…Maírín Uí Shé, Cathair an Treanntaigh, stands beside the illustrations of her Uncle Seán Feilí Ó Cathaín and grandfather, Muirís Ó Catháin. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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Lúc Ó Dálaigh, listening to Minister for State, ( Office of Public Works) Patrick O’Donovan, at the Official opening of Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhóir, Daingean Ui Chúis, Co Chiarraí /The Blasket Centreon Monday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Lorcán Ó Cinnéde, Manager, Ionad an Bhlascaoid, with staff and guide members meeting the Minister for State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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The Minister for State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan and Máire Ní Shúilleabháin Uí Chíobháin, daughter of famed Blasket author Muiris Ó Súilleabháin, re-opened the iconic Blasket Centre (Ionad an Bhlascaoid) in Dún Chaoin on Monday. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
