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a place to touch the past...
Out in the Atlantic Ocean, on the very edge of Europe, lie the three
Gaeltacht Aran Islands of Inis Mór (Inismore), Inis Meáin (Inishmaan)
and Inis Oirr (Inisheer). These islands are renowned for their unique
way of life, where age-old traditions co-exist comfortably with
modern living. The islands have a rich history, which can be seen
from their ancient monuments, from both prehistoric and Christian
times. Here is a place to touch the past, to sense the spirit of Celtic
and Gaelic Ireland.
Inis Mór
Inis Mór, as its name suggests is the "big island", the largest of the
three Aran Islands. Its main village is Kilronan. This is an ancient
land set in an endless sea where great labyrinths of limestone sweep
upwards to awesome cliffs, with their strange, weathered
monuments of stone. Meandering stone walls pattern small
patchwork fields, sometimes running down to clean, unpolluted and
quiet beaches. Approximately 9 miles (12 kms) long and 2 miles (3
kms) wide Inis Mór is a walker's holiday paradise. Across the island
and over some many miles of craggy, sandy and sometimes stony
shoreline there is an abundance of wildlife and over 437 varieties of
wild flower. Here is an island of limestone rafts, interlinking trails
and breathtaking cliffs, with their panoramic views of Connemara,
Clare and sometimes as far south as Kerry, on a clear horizon.
t h e a r a n i s l a n d s