As it happens7:04Lucky Young Lands GIG taking care of the uninhabited Irish Island
Camille Rosenfeld and James Hayes have landed what feels like a unique opportunity. The young couple has been chosen to be the caregivers of one of the remote and impressive places in Ireland: Great Blasket Island.
« Oh, dosh … it looks like a dream comes true, » said Rosenfeld As it happens’ Host Nil Köksal.
« I would not even think that it would be a possibility … we feel very fortunate that they had chosen us. »
From April, the couple will spend six months living on this island of 1,100 hectares on the west coast of the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry County, Ireland. They currently live in Talee, which is about 80 kilometers by land and sea.
The island is covered with a lush emerald green landscape, with roller hills and spectacular cliffs, surrounded by turquoise waves.
Dowry with relics and ruins of the past, it is also deeply rooted in rich Irish heritage and history.
Once in the home of a tight -speaking community, the island was deserted in 1953 when its last inhabitants were taken to the continental part so that they could access what the island did not have: emergency services for the aged population and the smoother winters.
Since then, it has been largely left intact, allowing nature to recover the earth.
Rosenfeld has not yet stepped on the island, but in a recent hike nearby, he says it is a view.
« It’s so green, the greenest grass you would ever have seen, » he said.
« For a few weeks in summer, there are these beautiful purple flowers that bloom in all fields. It looks like something of the wizard of oz. »
The island is also loaded with wildlife. It last year’s caregivers Let’s say there are sharks, stamps, sheep, whales, dolphins and rabbits.
Get the concert
Peter O’Connor and his wife Alice Hayes announced the position of care and his wife Alice Hayes, who live on the continental side. But they own the five holiday homes and a small cafe in Great Blasket, which new carers will supervise.
When the contracting couple first published the seasonal position live in January 2020, they were flooded with 80,000 applications. Since then they have limited the number they will consider to 300.
However, it is a large pool and James Hayes is not entirely sure why they were chosen.
« They are lovely people and we got so well, » said Hayes from the interview
« We don’t really know why, apart from I think they just think they can get along with us and they look like pleasant people who will work hard. »
Hayes grew in another place in Kerry County. He says that even before the opportunity to work, he was delighted on the island and made a visit during college.
« He really captured my imagination at the time, » he said.
« It has always been on my radar … the history of the island; it is a cultural milestone. »
And it was not very convincing for Rosenfeld, who is from Minnesota, to board on board when Hayes asked if he wanted to apply.
« I suggested it to Camille, and she was totally because of it, » she said.
Excitement in anticipation
Windswept Island has no electricity, hot water or wi-fi, but what it has is the one that yearns Rosenfeld.
« Simply disconnected is a luxury in the times we live now, » he said.
Rosenfeld says he is also excited to welcome visitors who are drawn by the same reasons.
« The idea of encountering all those people attracted to the island in the same way we are, is really exciting, » said Rosenfeld.
« The possibility of doing it in a place where you can hear the ocean and see the stars and live in the light of the candles is incredible. »
As a professional artist, Hayes says he will seek inspiration for his next work body.
« What better place to be an island like this? »
It is not surprising that they have already thought of what could be the most difficult part of all this experience: to leave the island when at the end of September it is rolling.
« I think it will be the hardest part … trying to find somewhere to live and I will have to work, » said Rosenfeld.
« I’m not yet trying to think about this part. »
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