To the Islands.

With wind whipped hair and salt soaked skin, we made our way by boat to the Blasket Islands yesterday. The Blasket Islands are located off the coast of Dingle Bay. These islands were once inhabited, but are now left totally abandoned with only donkeys, sheep, and rabbits to roam their shores. Stone ruins still liter the islands, as do old and worn roads and trails. After a rough and thrilling ride across the water, we were left on the island to simply explore as we pleased. It really is a fascinating place with a rich culture and history of literature. We wandered through the abandoned structures, hiked the perimeter of the island, and played with seals on the beach – and somehow this is all a part of my study abroad. Bliss.

Blasket Island ruins

Blasket Island beach

But back to the mainland. Dingle is perhaps one of the most delightful places I have ever set foot in. It is full of color (literally, the buildings are very colorful), local Irish music, and delicious salty sea air. For the past few days we have set off to explore this town and this area. Our wanderings have taken us to the docks, to an old abandoned lighthouse, and to the “beehive huts” among other places. Now, being a fan of the book “Confessions of a Pagan Nun”, I was thrilled to go to the beehive huts. These little beehive shaped structures were the monastic homes to some of the first monks and nuns who came to the area. The fact that there are so many left and that they are so intact (especially considering they are made without mortar, but purely by rock stacking) is amazing. They sprinkle the Dingle hillsides.

Beehive Huts

Tomorrow is our last full day in Dingle, and it is clear that our week spent on this western coast of Ireland has not nearly been enough time. It seems as though time is water running through our hands and we simply cannot slow it down.

Dingle, you are brilliant.