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Isolated from the mainland in the mouth of Galway Bay, the Aran Islands are a striking contrast of rugged stone and vibrant green fields; a treeless kaleidoscope of slopes and crags. Taking the time to get lost inside the labyrinth of stone walls covering Inisheer, the smallest of the three Aran Islands, was some of the most fun I’ve had in years.
Although the population is minimal, the homes that inhabit the Islands are weather-beaten exercises in practical architecture. They are also exceedingly charming and picturesque – everything you imagine Ireland to be. On Inishneer, what most impresses me is the unobstructed view of the Cliffs of Moher. I love to watch the fishing boats as they stake claim to the turquoise waters, and happier still to watch those same boats arrive to the pristine, white sand shore with their day’s haul. The evening’s dinner.
The Local Community
On Inisheer, community is everything, and to spend but a moment here is to immerse yourself in their unique way of life.
Gaelic is the primary tongue of this archipelago of culture and tradition (but don’t worry – the locals are happy to engage in English, too!). You won’t be hard-pressed to find someone willing to share a tale (or two) – maritime legends and tales of Celtic mythology have been born from these islands, and its natives are fervently protective of the country’s oral traditions that span centuries.
Perhaps there’s no better way to experience the Aran Islands than to be one of the privileged few who spend a night on Inisheer. This is a true Irish experience, and one unlike any other in the world. Say Oiche mhaith – goodnight – to the last ferry departing for the mainland. Free from tourists, it will be just you and the locals for the evening, an experience so seldom found in an ever-shrinking world.
A trip to the Aran islands is a feast for your mind and soul, kindling a childlike sense of adventure that reaffirms why we travel.
