Monday, June 29th: Aran Islands

Text and images by Jaimie Hickey,

On Monday we went to Inish Mor, one of the three Aran Islands. 

I’ve got to say, looking out the window on the coach on the way there and back from the ferry might be just as scenic as what we saw from the shuttle on the island itself. The scenery of both was beautiful and enjoyable each in its own way. 

Some intriguing sights on both bus trips were the houses. Some houses are modern while others are older, some in ruins and others more intact. The landscape is very rocky and very green. Stone walls bordered almost all the properties. These places had little to no soil and only rocks. We saw lots of horses, sheep, and cows, goats, mules, and even two alpacas. As an animal lover, it made me ecstatic to see all these animals.  We were even lucky enough to see a seal in the distance while driving past the Aran Seal Colony Cove.

Some things we learned about the island--only about 800 people live on Inish Mor. There’s only one grocery store and one gas station. The people of the Aran Islands didn’t get running water or electrical heat until 1970s. There are multiple churches, some active, others old and in ruins.