Lesley
islandlesley.bsky.social
Lesley
@islandlesley.bsky.social
Former caretaker of Great Blasket Island, now a Mammy in the Midlands to 🔹Naoise 🔹

M. Phil Public History and Cultural Heritage - 'The Intangible Heritage of the Great Blasket Island.'

Still drawn to sea air, soft days and a good story
'there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes...'

#ConnollyForPresident
October 25, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Lesley
Love this essay 'Samhradh' by Manchán Magan recorded last year for Culture Night in Áras an Uachtaráin by the wonderful
@sundaymiscellany.bsky.social team ✨️
www.rte.ie/culture/2024...
Sunday Miscellany: Samradh, by Manchán Magan
On Irish words for rain - and sunshine
www.rte.ie
October 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM
'The space we stood around had been emptied
Into us to keep, it penetrated
Clearances that suddenly stood open.
High cries were felled and a pure change happened.' - Seamus Heaney

May Manchán Magan rest at peace. One of our best, gone far too soon.
October 3, 2025 at 6:31 AM
#TraitorsIrl is so brilliantly and uniquely Irish. The wit, the whispers, the storytelling. Its less like a TV show and more like a mirror of our heritage. An-mhaith 👏🏻
September 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
I was delighted to be featured in @countrylifemag.bsky.social, examining some of our country houses.

‘Its loss became a cautionary tale, and a rallying cry for architectural conservation’: The rise and fall and renewed interest in Ireland’s remarkable country houses share.google/xFfGiNB8zXFh...
‘Its loss became a cautionary tale, and a rallying cry for architectural conservation’: The rise and fall and renewed interest in Ireland’s remarkable country houses
Lesley Bond traces a brief history of Ireland’s country houses and questions whether you can ever separate the house from the history it represents.
share.google
September 3, 2025 at 10:21 AM
So sad to hear of the death of Sean Rocks. Such an important friend and supporter of arts and culture in Ireland, Arena was always an enlightening show under his stead. May he rest in peace.
July 31, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Ionad an Bhlascaoid has reported the passing of Máiréad Kearney-Shea in Springfield, MA at the age of 103.

Máiréad was the last of the Great Blasket-born community in the USA. A remarkable woman, may she rest in peace (1/2)
July 16, 2025 at 8:35 AM
In the rush to source stone, heritage sites could be caught in crossfire, often encroached upon in the search for materials. Housing is so important but news like this is like a warning bell for important heritage locations across Ireland. Balance will be essential here.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Concrete industry warns of quarry materials shortfall
The concrete industry has warned Ireland is facing a significant shortfall of materials such as stone, sand and gravel in future years because quarries are not being granted sufficient planning permis...
www.rte.ie
June 25, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Lesley
🔔 UPDATE: The deadline to apply for the Poetry Ireland Librarian position has been EXTENDED to Sunday, June 8th at 5pm.

Poetry Ireland are seeking a passionate, qualified Librarian to join their team!

✍️Learn more & apply: www.poetryireland.ie/news/poetry-...

#JobFairy @libraryjobs.bsky.social
May 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A telegram sent by the Blasket Islanders on 22 April 1947 to Éamon de Valera. 'Stormbound Distress. Send food. Nothing to eat - Blaskets.'

Six years later, the Great Blasket islanders would leave the island permanently. It has been uninhabited ever since.
April 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Six years ago today, I moved to the Great Blasket Island for six months, an experience that shaped me in ways I'm still discovering.

Endlessly grateful for that chapter. Hopefully this season is the best yet for the island and all who visit get to enjoy it. It's a place that stays with you.
April 6, 2025 at 7:34 PM
From island solitude to night feeds and nursery rhymes. Blink and half a decade has gone by. Sásta a bheith ar ais 💚
April 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM