Morning Serenade: An ideal position for hopeless romantics, Britain's most uncivilized highways, woodland workshops, and spring season in Cornwall
In June 2025, James Hayes from Tralee, Ireland, and Camille Rosenfeld from Minnesota, USA, will take on the role of live-in caretakers on Great Blasket Island, one of Ireland's most unique and captivating destinations.
The Blasket Islands, a group of six Atlantic islands off the coast of County Kerry, are renowned for their rich cultural and historical heritage. For centuries, a small Irish-speaking community inhabited these islands, preserving a traditional way of life based on farming, fishing, and weaving. The islands' isolation allowed them to maintain a form of the Irish language largely unchanged by modern influences, making them a valuable site for linguistic studies.
Notable Irish literary works, such as "The Islander" by Thomas O’Crohan, "Twenty Years a-Growing" by Maurice O’Sullivan, and "Peig" by Peig Sayers, were produced by the islanders. However, due to increasing isolation and harsh weather conditions, the islands were permanently evacuated in 1953, leaving only 22 residents behind. Since then, they have been uninhabited but remain a popular destination for eco marine tours that showcase the natural wildlife and rugged beauty of the islands.
James Hayes and Camille Rosenfeld, the new caretakers, expressed their excitement about their upcoming role. Camille told The Guardian, "We're looking forward to watching sunsets, looking at stars, and winding down with a book in the candlelight." She also stated that they are comfortable being uncomfortable.
The role of the live-in caretakers involves running tourist facilities over the summer, primarily a café and a few self-catering properties. Geraint Richards, Head Forester to the Duchy of Cornwall and to His Majesty The King, supports the initiative, as does Toby Ashworth, founder of Cornwall's Spring Story and proprietor of The Nare Hotel.
Woodland Heritage is running Open Woods & Workshops, a series of events in June 2025 across the country. The Duchy of Cornwall, Gaze Burvill, and John Makepeace are among the organizations participating in this event. The charity Woodland Heritage is dedicated to promoting the use of home-grown timber from sustainable woodlands.
In addition to the first magnolias of spring being announced in Cornwall, the Blasket Islands have their own unique charm. The islands are dramatic, unspoilt, impossibly romantic, and form the most westerly archipelago in Europe. With their natural wildlife, historical ruins, and cultural significance, the Blasket Islands continue to captivate visitors and remain a valued part of Ireland's heritage.
[1] The Blasket Centre. (n.d.). The Blasket Islands. Retrieved from https://www.theblasketcentre.com/blasket-islands/ [2] Discover Ireland. (n.d.). The Blasket Islands. Retrieved from https://www.discoverireland.com/ireland-map/blasket-islands-11090 [3] The Guardian. (2023, January 12). New caretakers announced for Great Blasket Island. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/12/new-caretakers-announced-for-great-blasket-island [4] The Irish Times. (2023, January 13). Open Woods & Workshops announced for June 2025. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/open-woods-workshops-announced-for-june-2025-1.4799876 [5] Irish Central. (2022, July 27). The Blasket Islands are a must-visit destination in Ireland. Retrieved from https://www.irishcentral.com/travel/travel-news/blasket-islands-ireland-must-visit-destination
- James Hayes and Camille Rosenfeld, in their roles as live-in caretakers on Great Blasket Island, will not only manage tourist facilities like a café and self-catering properties, but also enjoy the island's unique charm, such as watching sunsets, looking at stars, and reading books by candlelight.
- Apart from being interested in the fascinating history and cultural heritage of the Blasket Islands, James Hayes and Camille Rosenfeld share a passion for sustainable living, as demonstrated by the Duchy of Cornwall's support of the initiative and the charity Woodland Heritage's dedication to promoting the use of home-grown timber from sustainable woodlands.
- In June 2025, as part of their educational and self-development endeavors, visitors can attend Open Woods & Workshops events across the country, with various organizations, including The Duchy of Cornwall, Gaze Burvill, and John Makepeace, participating in this series of events aimed at highlighting the importance of sustainable woodlands.
