Aran Islands

(Local Name: Oileain Arann) The Aran Islands lie in the Atlantic between 25 and 30 miles southwest of Galway. There are three islands: Inishmore (area 12 sq. mi/30.54 sq. km), Inishmaan (3.5 sq. mi/9 sq. km), and Inisheer (2.25 sq. mi/5.6 sq. km).

The Aran Islands can be reached either by air or sea. Aer Arann flies daily to all three islands from Carnmore, 4mi/6km northeast of Galway. There are daily boat services (CIE line) from Galway and Rossaveal, and in summer from Doolin to Inishmore. In summer there are ferries from Inisheer and Inishmaan from Spidaal, and in summer from Doolin to Inisheer.

Thanks to the remoteness of the islands their inhabitants have preserved much of the old Irish culture that has been lost elsewhere. The language of the islands is still predominantly Irish. The traditional life of the Aran fisherfolk is depicted in the works of J. M. Synge, among other writers, and in Robert Flaherty's film "Man of Aran." The islands, of karstic limestone, are rugged and infertile. With unremitting toil the inhabitants have built up successive layers of sand and seaweed into small and irregularly shaped fields which they call "gardens." The gardens are sheltered by drystone walls.

Visitors and freight are conveyed to the two smaller islands in currachs, light boats made of laths and tarred canvas which are also taken far out into the open sea to fish for lobsters.

Until a few years ago the islanders still wove their own clothing and wore handmade shoes of hide without heels known as "pampooties." Still to be seen are the hand-knitted and very durable Aran jerseys of white sheep's wool and the long woolen belts of colored wool known as the "crios." Visitors can buy them on the islands, as in the rest of Ireland.

There are remains of so many old buildings on the islands that mention of only the most important sites (all scheduled as National Monuments) is possible. Since the dating of the early structures is subject to uncertainty, no dates have been given here.