Blasket Island Development

by P Reid Mon Jul 27, 2009 22:21 padraigedreid at eircom dot net

I have visited the Great Blasket. Like so many, I was force fed Peig in school - not uplifting at 9.30 on a wet Monday morning in November. But even at that, I was deeple affected by the notion of a beautiful island, wild, remote, lonely and dangerous now empty apart from the birds, rabbits and ghosts of former residents. Their lives were hard and mundane but I couldnt escape the fact that they also were blessed by living in such remote, simple beauty. When I eventually got there, I was not disappointed. I am not spiritual, but I felt a deep inner sense of peace on that island. I could go on at great length, but writing about it does it no justice. Thank you Blaskets. At times of turmoil I can close my eyes and remember the peace I felt visiting your beautiful shores.

by Mayo Man Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:29

Having recently visited the Great Blasket Island i was rather shocked at the damage done by BMTs contractors, the top of the landing area really shocked me i was under the impression that was not part of BMTs portfolio, i also understand that the Island is a special conservation area and a special protection area both governed by EU legislation, it is very obvious this is not being upheld, i understand from contacting the Blasket Action Group that Kerry County Council Nor Any other goverment Dept seem to be the slightest bit interested, i wonder why ? Perhaps it is time to bring this lack of enforcement of EU directives to the attention of the EU, I say to Kerry County Council and our so called goverment do your job uphold the law, the day of acountability is upon you, your tax paying citizens will no longer stand by and watch collusion and corruption at work. Lastly i congatulate the Blasket Action Group on your efforts to bring this to light, carry on the good work, if i can be of any assistance at all do not hesitate to contact me.

by upset citizen Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:01

I visited the Great Blasket island last week and was saddened and horrified by the destruction of the island, and this is before any new development has occurred. Developers have been doing work on existing buildings in their ownership and I would hate to see the damage that will be inflicted on the island when the commercial developers commence their NEW building. My congratulations to the Blasket Action Group for their efforts to bring this disgraceful situation to the public's attention. What is our government doing? It is meant to be protecting the beauty and heritage of our country, not destroying it. In these times, as collusion by our Government with developers is being unveiled at every turn, I am shocked that the Government would assist developers in destroying an absolute jewel in the heritage of this country. We hold the way of life that existed on the island in great esteem, so much so we teach it to the next generation in our schools, but then in practice our Government assists with its destruction. What hypocrits. Is there nothing but double standards within our government? It's an absolute disgrace and I wish the Blasket Action Group the best of luck in stopping the proposed NEW development. From looking at the Bord Pleanala website and their decision to grant planning permission, the first condition attached is that the developers must wait until a NEW PIER is built in the island. Minnister O Cuiv has stated that there is now no funding to build a new pier, so should we be hopeful that perhaps for once our Government will uphold their own planning laws or will we just have to sit idly by and watch the incompetency of our Government at work again which will result in the destruction of the island. I am lost for words after my visit to the island and can only hope that the destruction will stop here.

Beir bua Blasket Action Group.

A very sad and upset Citizen

by Blue Planet Advacate Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:34 blasketcase at gmail dot com

Hi Interested Citizen(re-Do Gooders).
There already were 2 toilets on the Island.
After the works done to the existing houses last year, there are now 8 toilets on the Island.
Buffer Keane's house was converted to a Cafe many years ago.
This has not been used for the last few years due to food and hygiene works needed.
For example a stainless steel work area and other basic works.
Peig Sayers house was converted to a hostel many years ago.
This has also not been used for many years either.

So there has been a Hostel- Cafe and toilet facilities on the Great Blasket Island.
Which with a little modernization would be a sustainable solution to meeting the needs of tourists to the island.

The New Development is to be built next to the Existing buildings(Peig Sayers)(Buffer Keane)
This is Designed with 3 large buildings joined together in a C shape.

The point is Not to oppose Tourism or Development.
It is to Oppose Unsustainable Development when there are Sustainable Solutions Already There.

by SooFree - Irish Thu Apr 16, 2009 20:42

Can all interested groups agree to unite, meet and if possible support each others causes. If you are interested in doing so, can you email the following: unitepositively@gmail.com. If we set up a meeting to move things forward collectively we can do something. Noone is getting anywhere fighting the similar issues separately. United we stand.

by interested citizen Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:52

Those who say that the islands should not be developed are being ridiculous. What about the Haugheys, is it ok for the rich to own one of the islands and live there but it is not ok for ordinary people to visit and enjoy the islands? What about the woman who lives on the island should she be evicted? Other people have houses on the island and they stay there for visits should they be stopped? Should we be prevented from visiting the islands?
What exactly are you saying, that the islands should just sit there in the ocean only to be used by the birds and rabbits. I say no. People have the right to visit the islands and to enjoy their beauty and while they are there having a cup of tea and a sandwich and being able to use a toilet is not going to do any damage to the island.

by billy idle Thu Apr 16, 2009 00:55

It appears SAC/SPA designation means nothing in this country when the people with the money and the right government connections get greedy. The Blasket islands are just another sad example in a long line of this sort of thing stretching from Rossport to the Usk marshes in Kildare.

In this case the developers of the site(which is one of the premier breeding area for burrow nesting storm petrels in the British isles) haven't even bothered to present a plan as to how they'll prevent rats getting on to the island with building materials etc. connected with this major development(which like O'Cuivs airstrip in the middle of wilderness in Connemara reeks of a pork barrel project). This lack of proper environmental oversight could wipe out the islands many species of breeding sea-birds, the very reason the islands are meant to have protection in the first place!!

by Terry Wed Apr 15, 2009 18:14

The Island should be left as it is (but i know it will not be).Even visiting there now, and looking back to 20 years ago,it is unbelievable how much crap has built up on the Island and how much it has changed for the worse.A lot of which was made by the same people who are doing the same thing right this minute.People 20 years from now will say the same about now and will never know what it was really like 40 years ago.Another Special Place destroyed by the Iron-Fist of money and gratification for the few.

by Interested citizen Wed Apr 15, 2009 15:40

I have always had an interest in the Blaskets and have visited them on a number of occasions. When there last year I saw that a number of houses were being developed and someone was living there. I see no harm in this type of development. The Blaskets don't have to be a dead museum for people to come and just look at, some facilities would make visits more enjoyable and create a few jobs. I don't see how a cafe is going to do serious damage to the big island.

by old codger - pensioner Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:31

The Aarhus Convention agreement is a united nations agreement to enable citizens of all signitary countries to have a say on what happens in their localities and insists that governments and companiesTRUTHFULLY inform the public on any projects proposed in their localities. If they do not then they will be subjected to international law.
Ireland is a signitary but is the only Country not to rattify the agreement WHY?
THE PEOPLE MUST INSIST THAT FIANNA FAIL ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

We must resist Fianna Fails undemocratic treatment of the people.