Newlywed Artists Appointed as An Blascaod Mór Caretakers: A Blend of Love and Culture in Preservation

Newlywed Artists Embark on Unique Adventure as Caretakers of An Blascaod Mór

In a remarkable turn of events, two newlywed artists have been selected from a pool of 80,000 applicants to serve as caretakers for an Blascaod Mór (the Great Blasket island) during the spring adn summer of 2025. James Hayes, hailing from Co Kerry, and Camille Rosenfeld, from Minnesota, USA, consider the position to be “right up our alley.”

A Dream come True on the Irish Coast

The couple, who tied the knot in June 2024 and currently reside in Tralee, are set to embark on this six-month adventure from April 1 to the start of October. Thier duties will encompass maintaining the islandS charm and welcoming visitors.

Camille expressed their excitement on RTÉ Radio 1’s Oliver Callan program, stating they are “lucky and happy to be picked,” further calling it “an amazing opportunity.” James added that the role, brought to Camille’s attention by him, was “something that’s been on his radar for a while.”

Island Life: A Landscape Artist’s Sabbatical

James fondly remembers visiting An Blascaod Mór “about 15 years ago.” He recalls that “it captured my inventiveness back then and I never thought I’d be in the position to actually spend any longer than a than an afternoon there.” As a landscape artist, he views the island as “a very nice spot” to enjoy “a little sabbatical.”

James and Camille will manage three cottages and operate a café on the island.

Living in the Footsteps of a Storyteller

The couple will be residing in Peig Sayers’ house, the former home of the renowned Irish storyteller who moved to the island following her marriage in 1892. This historic residence will be their base as they tend to the island’s needs.

While the accommodations are rustic, with “a small turbine” providing enough electricity to charge their phones for interaction with the mainland, both James and Camille embrace the simplicity.James describes it as “pretty basic all right,” with “no hot showers and no light switches or anything like that.”

However, the couple, described by James as “fairly hardy outdoorsy people,” are drawn to An Blascaod Mór by their “love of landscape and being outdoors.”

Caretaking Duties and Island Beauty

As caretakers, “most” of their time will be dedicated to running a café and maintaining three cottages. Notably, they will also interact with “day trippers coming out to see the island.” However,beyond their responsibilities,James emphasizes their intention to “take in the beauty” of the island and its surroundings.

A Call to island adventure

The selection of James and Camille as caretakers for An Blascaod Mór signals a unique opportunity to preserve the island’s cultural heritage. Their blend of artistic passion and love for the outdoors promises an enriching experience for both the couple and the visitors they will welcome. Consider supporting An Blascaod Mór by visiting, donating, or volunteering with organizations dedicated to the island’s preservation.

What inspired James and Camille to apply for the caretaker position on An Blascaod Mór?

The Grate Adventure: An Interview with James Hayes and Camille Rosenfeld, Caretakers of An Blascaod Mór

From Newlyweds to Island Keepers: A Conversation with the Lucky Pair

In an remarkable turn of events, An Blascaod Mór (the Great Blasket Island) has found its ideal caretakers in the form of a talented duo, James Hayes from Co. Kerry and Camille Rosenfeld from Minnesota, USA.selected from a staggering 80,000 applicants,these newlywed artists are set to embark on an unforgettable six-month adventure,-preserving the island’s charm and welcoming visitors from April to October.

Welcome to An Blascaod Mór: A dream Come True

Archyde: Hi James and Camille, first off, congratulations on being chosen as the caretakers for An Blascaod Mór!

Camille: Thank you! We’re still in disbelief, realy. It’s such an amazing possibility.

James: Yeah, I’ve been keeping my eye on this role for years, and to have Camille and I both selected, it’s truly a dream come true.

Living the dream: An Artist’s Sabbatical

Archyde: James, we heard you’ve visited An Blascaod Mór before. Tell us about your first encounter with this stunning island.

James: Oh, I was just blown away. It was about 15 years ago, and the island’s rugged beauty really captured my imagination. I never thought I’d get the chance to spend more than just an afternoon there. As a landscape artist, this six-month stint feels like a fantastic sabbatical.

Stepping into History: A home on An Blascaod Mór

Archyde: You’ll be living in Peig Sayers’ historic home. What’s it like,setting up camp in the footsteps of such an iconic storyteller?

Camille: It’s honestly quite humbling. The house is rustic, but we’re both outdoorsy people, so we’re really looking forward to embracing the simplicity of it all. We’ll have a small turbine for electricity to charge our phones and stay connected with the mainland.

James: Yeah, no hot showers or light switches, but that’s part of the appeal. We’re excited to fully immerse ourselves in the island’s natural beauty.

Balancing Responsibilities and Thankfulness

Archyde: As caretakers, what are your primary responsibilities during your time on An Blascaod Mór?

James: most of our time will be dedicated to running a café and maintaining three cottages. We also plan to interact with day-trippers, sharing our appreciation for the island and its history. But beyond those duties, we want to take in the beauty of An Blascaod Mór and its surroundings.

Preserving a Cultural Gem

Archyde: Your blend of artistic passion and outdoor enthusiasm promises an enriching experiance for both of you and the visitors you’ll welcome.What advice would you give to those who wish to support the preservation of An Blascaod Mór?

Camille: We’d encourage everyone to visit, if thay can, and donate or volunteer with organizations dedicated to the island’s preservation. Every little bit helps to keep this cultural gem alive for future generations.

James: Absolutely. And we hope our time on An Blascaod Mór will inspire others to follow their passions and embrace the great outdoors.

Archyde: Thank you both for sharing your inspiring story with us. We wish you an unforgettable adventure on An Blascaod Mór!