Description

In the early decades of the twentieth century, a tiny, wind-swept rock off the coast of County Kerry became an unexpected intellectual focal point for the world. On an Irish Island by acclaimed biographer Robert Kanigel tells the fascinating story of the international linguists, scholars, and bohemian travelers who journeyed to the Great Blasket Island to learn the pure, unblemished spoken Irish of its isolated community.

Kanigel masterfully weaves together the lives of outside scholars—like Carl Marstrander and Robin Flower—with the legendary island figures who welcomed them, including Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Peig Sayers, and Muiris Ó Súilleabháin. The book captures the harsh majesty of a primitive lifestyle fast disappearing, where storytelling by the peat fire was a highly refined art form. It is a haunting, deeply affectionate tribute to a unique culture that eventually faded when the island was finally evacuated in 1953, leaving behind an immortal literary legacy.

Key Themes Explored:

• Cultural & Linguistic History: A brilliant look at the early days of the Gaelic Revival and the preservation of Irish literature.

• Compelling Biographies: Examines the deep, life-changing friendships built between elite European academics and self-educated islanders.

• Atmospheric Narrative: Evokes the sights, sounds, hardships, and unyielding spirit of Atlantic island life.