"The tiny islands off the west coast of Ireland fascinated writers and artists. For some, like W.B Yeats, they epitomized pride, solitude and a sense of estrangement. For others, such as J.M. Synge, they provided the example of a commune in which life was reduced to its fundamentals - mankind pitted against nature." Written by Declan Kiberd about An Oileánach (The Islandman), published by Tomás Ó Criomhthain, 1929.