Greater Blasket Islanders
Man is born free, yet he is (almost) everywhere in chains. Whence, nostalgia for simpler times and cultures. On Greater Blasket Island, people were free. Though a mere three miles from the coast of Ireland, their community was largely self-sufficient. Various folk traditions were maintained. A pure form of Irish (Gaelic) was used, mainly spoken.
This book starts with descriptions of visitors to the island, in the early 1900s. If their way of life was doomed, then it was good they were spurred to document it while they could. But the fame they earned as a consequence could well have hastened the demise of their society. Isolated communities are often challenged by contact from 'outside'.
Professor George Thompson saw in the islanders glimmers of Ancient-Greek society. Without distractions, minds accomplish amazing things; whereas, thinking is nigh impossible in bedlam. George became enamored of an islander, Mary Kearney, but differing backgrounds and religions were divisive.
By 1940, most of the youngsters had departed from Greater Blasket Island. There was no going back because, in 1953, all voluntarily relocated to the mainland. This may have been best for them, but it seems sad.
The book fosters appreciation for supremacy of prevailing culture. Every movie might as well be Disney, every food digest you, every government gone-to-the-dogs.
One can appreciate the attraction of comforts we take for granted - and that, to gain them, we might have given up more than we should have. One can gain greater empathy for those transplanted to an alien place.
