Ferry view of island.
On 22 of January I experienced the wonder of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland.
Jacob, me, Corey and Sam inside the ferry.
With a group of friends I traveled by bus up to Galway, and from there we took a ferry out to the largest of the three islands, Inis Mór, which means “large island.”
Amanda and I huddled for warmth sailing to the islands.
We sailed into the main city and harbour port, Kilronan. Getting around this tiny island is possible by walking or riding a bike since it is only about 12 km long and 3 km wide. Although we were lucky and the day was sunny and beautiful, it was rather cold; and since we had no idea what to see, we grabbed a “van” tour with a fantastic tour guide, Patrick.
He drove just the eight of us in our group, and we had as much time as we wanted at each stop. That’s one of the wonderful things about the Irish: they are never in a hurry.
Our group with tour guide Patrick. (Guy in middle with plaid shirt)
The first stop was an old lighthouse and fallen fortress that overlooked vast fields with numerous rock walls. All the walls have been up for about 2500 years, and have remained so without any mortar.
Thousands of walls cover the fields.
The rocks are strategically picked and placed as a fine art. There are gaps between the rocks to allow winds to travel through without knocking the walls over.
Cottage up for rent.
Then we passed some cottages, one of which was up for rent. However, neither cottage had an inside bathroom!
As we drove, Patrick told us some fun facts about the island. The island itself is actually just a giant chunk of rock that broke off the mainland (present day Cliffs of Mór) during the ice age. The island is a small community, and no tourists can build on the land; all houses and land must be inherited. There are only two cops on the island, but even they are unnecessary since there is NO crime! It’s almost as if the island is preserved in an olden age.
Amanda and I peeking in on Leprechauns.
Roughly 50 percent of the island’s income comes from fishing and 40 percent from tourism. To entertain the tourists, many little houses have been set up for the Leprechauns. So yes, they exist, and yes, I have seen some of the city Leprechauns’ houses. But to avoid confusion for those who believe Leprechauns live in little hollows in the forest: those or forest Leprechauns, not city ones.
We visited a graveyard as well where giant plots of land are reserved for graves for locals.
St. Edna's grave.
Teaghlach Einne, or House of St. Enda (the patron saint of Inis Mór) is a half buried and fallen down church in the 1500-year-old graveyard. St. Enda’s grave is located here from when he died in 535 A.D.
Along the way we also saw the whitest beach I have ever seen! And if you looked carefully seals littered the rocks just off the coast line.
Seal!
We finally arrived at the most popular and famous place on Inis Mór: Dún Aonghasa. This is a huge stone fort at the highest point of the cliffs. Looking straight down 300 feet is the Atlantic Ocean. Terrifying and exhilarating at the same time! The fort covers 14 acres, and dates back over 2500 years.
Jacob, me, Kenny, Amanda and Corey on the cliff.
Sitting on the edge...
300 feet straight up...
"Falling" off the cliff!
The adventure was only one day, but it was extraordinary. I would recommend the trip to anyone. Between the scenery and history that can’t be witnessed anywhere else in the world, it was well worth every euro and even numb fingers to obtain each picture 
