Life as a Caretaker on Great Blasket Island: A Magical but Hardworking Experience

Working as caretakers on the Great Blasket Island from April to September 2026 has been a magical experience for Aisling Costello and Conor Jones. The couple spent six months managing three cottages and a coffee shop off the coast of County Kerry, trading demanding office jobs for a remote island routine.

Living and Working on Great Blasket Island

Costello and Jones handled daily operations for the island’s three rental cottages and cafe in exchange for bed, board, and a stipend. Their responsibilities included physical labor such as building a sheep pen and installing a pump for the island’s back-up water tank. Costello left an administration role in Cork that nearly drove her around the bend to take on the six-month placement. Jones, who has a background in recruitment, noted that the application process involved a detailed submission followed by a single interview with island owners Alice Hayes and Billy O’Connor.

Because we gave a very detailed application, mainly it was them just trying to tell us that there is loads of work. I think they were trying to scare us off.

Conor Jones via irishtimes.com

Caretaker Role Draws Thousands of Applicants

The caretaker position has become one of the more competitive job processes since 2025. When the role was first posted in 2019, it drew 80,000 applicants, followed by 23,000 applicants in 2020. Since 2025, owners Alice Hayes and Billy O’Connor have capped submissions at 300 applications per cycle.

Island Location Offers Strong 5G Connectivity

Great Blasket Island was evacuated in 1954 and sits about two kilometers from the Dingle peninsula. The location features running cold water and limited electricity powered by a small wind generator used to charge mobile devices. Despite the isolation, connectivity is strong due to a 5G mast located in Dunquin. Costello reported that internet speeds on the island exceeded her connection in Cork city, providing essential communication access for emergencies.

Wildlife Encounters Across the Season

Throughout their tenure, the couple lived alongside a rich array of island wildlife. The spring season brought lambing on the cliffs, while the autumn transition marked the pupping season for Europe’s largest grey seal colony in the local coves and beaches. Other seasonal shifts included the departure of burrowing Manx shearwaters just a week prior to the caretakers’ exit. Meanwhile, a heavily publicized 2026 solar eclipse proved disappointing on the island due to heavy cloud cover and swarming midges.