State set to buy Great Blasket as heritage site

THE long-awaited purchase by the State of Great Blasket Island is to go ahead this year, the Government announced yesterday.

However, there could still be obstacles in the way of the €1.7 million buy-out because agreements on commercial rights to the island, including the landing of visitors, have not yet been finalised, according to local sources.

Dingle solicitor Peter Callery, whose company Blascaod Mor Teo owns 17 of the 25 holdings on the island, has accused the State of not honouring an agreement made three years ago.