The Aran Islands, formed from a limestone ridge, are about 30 miles across the mouth of Galway Bay.
They are composed by three Islands: Inis Mór, Inis Óirr, Inis Meáin.
Inis Mór is the biggest one and is about 13 km long and 3.5 km wide. It has a native population of about 900. The island can be explored on foot, on bicycles, by pony and trap or by minibus. Inis Mór is accessible from Galway, Rossaveal and Doolin by ferry and from Connemara (Inverin) by plane.
The big Island contains all that is special about the Aran Islands: beautiful scenery, rich archaeological sites, thousands of miles of stonewalls, cliff and coastal walks over the stretches of limestone pavements and a community still living the Celtic tradition of generations gone by.
Panorama views of the Coast of Connemara may be seen. There are golden sandy beaches and no less then 437 varieties of wild flowers grow on the island.
At the seal sanctuary you can watch up to 20 seals resting and on fine days groups of dolphins play around the island often following the boats.
There are numerous early Christian monastic sites, prehistoric forts as well as two megalithic tombs. Of the forts Dún Aonghasa is the most eminent of its kind in Europe. In fact Inis Mór contains the greatest number of archaeological sites which can be found within the same area in Europe.
The Celtic love of dance and song (especially sean-nós singing) is still very much alive.The island is the birthplace of several writers, the most noteworthy being Liam Ó Flaherty and Mairtín Ó Direáin
There is no doubt that Árainn is a unique place. Those who visit the island only briefly have little chance to experience the depth of this magic place.
For centuries Inis Mór has captured the imagination of thinkers, dreamers and at one stage it ranked next to Jerusalem and Rome as a place of pilgrimage.
“There are four harbours between Heaven and Earth where souls are cleansed. The Paradise of Adam….Rome, Aran and Jerusalem. No Angel who ever came to Ireland to help Gael or Gall returned to Heaven without first visiting Aran, and if people understand how greatly the Lord loves Aran they would all come there to partake of its blessings.”
Cormac Mac Cuileannáin, King-Bishop of Cashel, died 908 AD.
Today this unique atmosphere still exists for visitors. The island has a unique rhythm of its own – time stands still.
You too can find calm and strength in this unspoilt natural environment and with Celtic Spirit Culture Weeks you can experience the richness of the culture and heritage together with the indigenous Islanders.
