Aran Islands

This past Saturday I travelled to the Aran Islands. This is definitely a hidden gem of Ireland and was one of my favorite days abroad thus far. The Aran Islands are a group of three small islands off the western coast of Ireland. You can see these jagged, sparsely inhibited rocks from the Cliffs of Moher, and they are only accessed by ferry or plane.

We woke up on Saturday and headed into town to pick up our tickets and catch a bus to the ferry dock.  There were 7 Villanova students from my program and Megan's entire ISA group so it was a big group of us.  The bus ride to the ferry took about an hour, and before we knew it the ferry was on it's way towards Inis Mor, or the "Big Island," which is by far the most populated and touristy, if you could even call it that.  We made everything on time and were off, so far so good.

As soon as we got off the ferry, we were bombarded by different men trying to sell us on a horse and carraige tour, or a bus tour, or better yet bike rentals.  We decided on bike rentals and this proved to be an awesome idea. The bike cost 20 euros, and you got 10 back when the bike was safely returned.  Without any real sense of direction or idea of what there's to do on the Aran Islands, we started riding and followed other bikers.  About 5 minutes into the bike ride these two dogs, presumably strays, ran up to all of us on the bikes and essentially shepherded and herded us down only road towards one end of the island.  These sheep dogs would be everywhere throughout the day, right until we boarded the boat and went home.  I wonder if these dogs greet a pack of lost tourists on bikes every day and show them around their neighborhood? Bosses.  They were insanely kind and definitely made the day.  The dogs, and the weather made the day I should say.  For the first time abroad, I felt hot in Ireland.  I was sweating on the bike! I was shedding layers!

First encounter with Dog #1

Puppy Pictures?!? WHEN DID YOU TAKE THAT PICTURE?!?!?

Dog #2

 The first stop we made on the bikes was a random cemetery, good for nothing else really than this picture. One of my prouder abroad pictures to date, if I may say so myself.

After taking more pictures and playing with the dogs on a beach, we back tracked to the small town area where the ferry dropped us off. Apparently we had gotten lost, on an ISLAND. An island that has 1 road, and is all of 9 miles long. Legend. After getting on the right trail, we rode alongside fields and farms and rock walls towards Dun Aonghasa, a fort atop the cliffs on the other side of the island.  Before I continue, let me explain my real reason for liking the Aran Islands so much....THE ROCK WALLS. Since being in Ireland, I have been fascinated by rock walls of all shapes and sizes. Why did they build them? Why are there so many? How did they carry those huge stones without machines? Where do the stones come from? Where do babies come from? How do they balance so perfectly? How is it that I can't kick the walls down even though it's just rocks stacked on top of each other?

This is me, more or less, every time that I see a rock wall.



At the Aran Islands there was no shortage of these miraculous works of human craftsmanship and boredom. Or alien? Thinking that Aliens had something to do with them.  Anyway, I apologize for ranting but the Aran Islands was for rock wall lovers what Disney is like for Marissa Olcott. Amazing.

Rock wall leading up to the Fort, couldn't push it over

Unassuming rock wall. Note the beauty. The mastery. The MYSTERY.

Moving on with the world's sweatiest bike ride (long sleeve, sweatshirt, and peacoat in 50 degree sun. Swamp Body), we came upon Dun Aonghsas, an old old wooden ship used in the civil war era, I believe  To be honest I didn't really take the time to learn about the fort and read the informational signage, too many rock walls to try and push over.  After hiking up to the mountain, me Erin and Rachel (lost the big pack of bikers, uh totally on accident), were met with some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen both abroad and anywhere else.

While it was too dangerous to have this type of reaction on the edge of a 300 foot cliff leading to jagged rocks, my internal reaction was similar to this kid. He was like a kid on Christmas morning? I get it!

Fort. So?

Atop the cliffs

Sperry's: Not just for looking like a doosher anymore, good for mountain climbing too!

I would argue that these cliffs were better than those at Moher

View from inside the fort

 After soaking up some rays on top of the fort and the surrounding cliffs, we rode back into town to catch the 5pm ferry.  The ride back was a breeze because it was primarily down hill. Erin, Rachel, and I ate a late lunch at Joe Watty's and for a while were literally the only people in the restaurant. Aran Islands are more or less a ghost town. A horror/psychological thriller will be filmed there someday, if not already. Possible inspiration for Shutter Island. I had the most amazing chicken sandwich with Fries I swear and the single most refreshing alcoholic beverage of my life, an ice cold Heineken.  I built up a pretty solid appetite/thirst from riding around all day and this was the perfect way to end such a relaxing yet physically straining day.

The dogs greeted us at the ferry to send us off and we were back to the mainland, leaving the mini paradise that I had discovered on the Aran Islands. Saturday was an all around success and I had such a great day.  I was a bit nervous going into the day that there may not be enough to do but enjoying the sun and riding through some of the prettiest sights I've seen in Ireland was definitely more than I even expected.

Sad Sendoff

This is a regular week, with plans to go to Cork over the weekend. Congrats to the Monstars for winning the rec basketball championship, one of the greatest seasons and turnarounds in league history. Possibly athletics history.

Because it's baseball season, and I have a new found love for this cat:

OK I'M OUT.