American author takes fresh look at life of The Islandman

TOMAS Ó Criomhthain fought illiteracy and rejection to become the first Irish language speaker to write a book about his life in his native tongue.

This was not the only first for the islander who is the focus of the latest book in the Blasket Island library – ‘The Blasket Island Man’ by Massachussetts-based Gerard Hayes. Ó Criomhthain also was the first to be honored nationally with a commemorative postal stamp in 1957 and the first to have his writing included on national currency, the 20 púnt note.

This biography of Tomás O Criomhthain “is an important book in the Blasket Library,” according to Micheál de Mordha, who is himself the author of ‘An Island Community’, which takes a broader look at life on the Great Blasket.

Hayes, who is a son-in-law of the late islander Mike Cearney, tells the story of Tomás’s life and his impressive legacy. “The book will give pople who cannot read Irish access to the story of the islander and the importance of Tomás Ó Criomhthain’s book ‘An t-Oileánach’, which describes a microcosm of the West Coast of Ireland, the traditions and the way of life as it was lived for centuries along the western seaboard of Ireland,” said Micheál.

The book describes Criomhthain as a “complex character” who realised his own significance and was often dismissive of others. According to local account he was not well liked by many of the Island people. “He was a pioneer, he was a prima donna,” said Micheál. But he still remains “the most important writer to come out of West Kerry”.

Michael feels that other Blasket island writers could also benefit from a fresh insight. “Someone should come forward to write an account of the life of Peig Sayers to redeem her from the shadows of the Irish language school curriculum,” he said.

The launch of ‘The Blasket Island Man’ coincides with the last phase of the work by the OPW to restore Tomás Ó Criomhthain’s house on the island. According to Doncha Ó Conchúir, Director of Ionad an Bhlascaoid, the house will be open early in the season and visitors will be able to walk in and “imagine life as it was”.