 |
|
|
|
Aran Islands -
An Introduction
|
"The
boat is ready to sail
yonder to the isles
- our islands.
Turn your back to
the snarl of traffic
Open your mind
if you wish to stay
All this craggy place
is yours.."
Taken
from "Show me the Isles",
by Dara
O Connaola
|
|
|
|
|
The
Aran Islands were once part of a craggy
ridge of limestone that extended from
the Burren in County Clare. Worn down
by fierce storms over millions of years,
its three small islands are slowly,
steadily being eroded into the sea.
The
islands are one of the few remaining
"Gaeltachts" where Irish
remains the primary language. Islanders
today lead very modern lives, but
they maintain many traditions and
remain connected to the land and sea
on a level to which few "mainland"
people can relate.
They
are fiercely proud of their ancient
heritage and work hard to ensure the
future of their Irish-speaking community.
All aspects of Irish culture is cherished
by the islanders, especially since
the establishment of Radio
na Gaeltachta (the designated
Irish language radio channel).
Tourism
has become a vital source of revenue,
but fishing and agriculture still
provide an income for many families.
|
|
The
sounds between the islands are about
1.5 miles wide, and 10 - 12 miles
separates Inis
Mór from Connemara. Only
6 miles separates Inis
Oírr from Doolin, Co. Clare.
|
 |
| Stone
Forts on the Aran Islands |
Dún Aengus
|
There
are seven stone forts on the Aran Islands;
four on Inis
Mór, two on Inis
Meáin and one on Inis
Oírr. The word "Dún"
is part of the name of all the forts,
which means the fort of a king or chieftain.
The most famous is Dún Aengus
on Inis
Mór. |
|
|
|
