Monday, September 2, 2013

Aran Islands (Inishmore) off coast of Galway

At 8.45am I read Triona's suggestion of going to the Aran Island - we were on the bus to the ferry at 9.30!!!! Hour trip in double decker & hour trip in ferry.

The island is 10 x 3 miles with 3,000 miles of stone fences!!!!!! The island has a population of 900 - always the same except during the Great Famine (1845-48) when they had potatoes & food & no one else did. Pop went up to 3,000.

The story goes - there originally was no soil on the island so over three years they collected all the stones & made the fences; then brought in sand & seaweed, mixed it & planted potatoes the first year; the 2nd year they grew & mixed in rye and the 3rd grew crops!

We visited Dun Aonghasa - ancient (2,500 yrs) fort of stones - one of only four - this one on top of 600; cliffs - incredible scenery!!! The people built huts inside fort & massive ramparts each side of gateway.
There are 3 villages, 2 primary schools, one high school, few churches. Cromwell's men ever reached here & destroyed 7 church complex & killed all the monks.
I didn't feel least bit seasick on rough trip to & fro!

Wonderful day - thanks Triona for suggestion!!!!
Unable to send photos on this wi - fi so hopefully catch up next time!

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