Dutch writer visiting Clare Island for new book

AN acclaimed Dutch writer is visiting Clare Island this week.

Adwin de Kluyver is writing a book about islands that have been used for research, experiments or as laboratories, and he is working on a story about the first Clare Island Survey led by Robert Lloyd Praeger (whose father was a Dutchman) over a century ago.

At the same time, he is curious about how present-day residents of Clare Island view their personal relationship with the island.

Over two years (1909-11), Robert Lloyd Praeger led a team of 100 scientific specialists who mapped the flora, fauna, geology and archaeology of the island. The exercise was repeated with the New Survey of Clare Island a century later.

For this third Clare Island survey, Adwin would like to let the residents themselves have their say by answering eight questions that are always forgotten in other surveys:

- How does the island sound?

- How does the island taste?

- How does the island smell?

- Which place on the island gives you joy?

- Which place on the island saddens you?

- Which place that has a personal meaning for you and should be put on a map (and what should be its name)?

- Do you talk to the island or does it communicate with you (and what is said)?

- What does nobody know about the island?

He is inviting islanders to send their answers to clareislandsurvey3@gmail.com. You may also enclose photographs, drawings or a map.

If you don't want your name to be mentioned, please indicate this clearly, and the publisher will respect your privacy and publish your contribution anonymously.

Adwin is visiting Clare Island from December 8 to 12 and is staying in the apartment above the heritage centre. If you want to meet him or show him a personal place on the island you can contact him at the email above or speak to him when you see him walking by.

Adwin is an acclaimed writer of creative non-fiction. His works include two books about the longing for the ends of the earth, the North Pole and the South Pole, which were very well received by critics. His books have been nominated for various awards.

He lives and works part-time on Vlieland and Terschelling, two islands in the north of the Netherlands.