Slea Head Loop Drive
Day 6 – Irish Crystal and Gaelic Heritage
A Master Crystal Artist at Work in His Dingle Studio
The morning began with a stop at the studio of Sean Daly and a chance to watch him demonstrate his craft. Sean learned the fine art of crystal-cutting at Waterford Crystal and opened his own business when Waterford moved production overseas. Sean is one of the last remaining master cutters in Ireland.
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Sean explained how he first marks his own unique Celtic designs on the glass and then showed us how he cuts the glass by hand. Each original piece is polished and signed.
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We watched as Sean took us through the steps in making a crystal glass:
The beautiful chandelier is one of several Sean designed for Benners Hotel.
All family members help with the business. Sons are apprenticing in the studio, and Sean's daughter runs the sales shop in town where I splurged on four glasses. I couldn't think of a better souvenir of our trip to Ireland and a reminder of this talented Irishman!
Ireland's Scenic Coast – Along the Wild Atlantic Way
Our morning bus ride around Dingle Peninsula provided incredible views and photo opportunities. Our local guide, retired Dingle Police Chief, Tim Collins, painted a picture of rural country life, both past and present, while our bus driver, Mark, expertly navigated the narrow road.
We had a clear view of two notable islands: the Sleeping Giant, northernmost Blasket Island, and Skellig Michael, the rugged 500-year-home of Christian monks beginning in the sixth century. Skellig Michael was also a filming location for scenes in "StarWars: The Force Awakens."
Slea Head Loop Drive
The Sleeping Giant
Skellig Michael
Scenic Beach on Dingle Peninsula
Blasket Islands and the Great Blasket Centre
Midway around the Dingle Peninsula
The Blasket Centre is a beautiful heritage and cultural center, honoring the people who lived on the remote Great Blasket Island until 1953.
The museum uses artwork, stories, video and exhibits to tell about island life, subsistence fishing and farming, Gaelic traditions and language of the islanders.
Great Blasket Island as Seen from the Centre
Map from Rick Steves Ireland Guidebook
Five panels of colorful, steel-framed glass fill one side of the center's lobby. Our museum guide pointed out the symbols painted on the glass to represent mussel beds, fishing waters, potato fields, houses, meandering paths, canoes and oars, turf and other seasonal elements that were part of island life.
We felt like we had entered a very unique art museum!
Strong winds made daily life difficult
for these hardy islanders.
Islanders traveled to the mainland across rough seas in canvas covered "naomhóg" fishing boats.
The beautiful mosaic depicts those lost at sea and the sea's ever-present danger and creatures.
These portraits represent three of the island's most well known residents and authors. Peig recounted folklore and told of her fifty years on the island. Her many oral accounts were recorded and printed in book form.
Gearóid Keane, "the loneliest boy in the world," was the last child to live on the island. Still living, Gearóid has published a memoir.
Thomás O'Crohan was a prolific writer. His works (notably "The Islandman") are significant examples of Irish written language.
Gallarus Oratory
Our final stop on the Slea Head Loop Drive was at the Gallorus Oratory, a 1300 year-old Christian church. Built of thick, dry-stone walls, it is still waterproof. We crowded into the small space, lit only from a small arched window and low doorway.
Wild Fuchsias
Growing Nearby
