5 reasons why it is worth visiting the Aran Islands
Are you planning your Irish holiday or just sitting at home wondering where to visit next? Have you often heard about the three sister Aran islands off the coast of Galway but never been? Have you always wondered if the Aran Islands are worth a visit? Maybe you are wondering if it is worth a short trip across the water to either Inis Oírr, Inis Meáin or Inis Mór.
There are a million different reasons why I think you should visit the unique, rugged limestone islands but here are just my top 5.
1. Time seems to slow down out here
Island life just has a different pace to it. Everything moves a little slower, people speak slower – unless it’s the locals speaking Irish!. Things just seem a little calmer on the island, a place where you can forget about your to-do lists, places to be and just enjoy the sound of the water, nature and stillness. Spend some time here and you too will begin to slow down.
2. Accessible
Even though when you are on the Aran Islands and it feels a lifetime away from your everyday life, in reality it’s just a short trip away. No queuing at airport security or busing it to your car in the car park that’s miles away! Depending on the island you choose to visit, crossings are as short as 20 mins by boat and only 8 mins by flight. Just park up next to the ferry or hop off the bus, a short crossing and you’re here.
3. The People
Islanders are a special bread – and I don’t just say that because I am one. In times where we are cut off from the mainland and the supply boats can’t make it or in crisis when one of the pubs is down to their last keg of Guinness, that’s when your community really matters. Islanders back each other, support each other and even though there is a healthy rivalry between the islands they would never see each other stuck. Years ago people rowed ”curragh’s” (traditional canvas boats) between the islands to transport doctors, priests and the odd tourist that got off at the wrong island – today we would still do the same but with an engine powered boat (we don’t have all day!).
Note: The summer season is long and busy and can take its toll on the islanders’ energies – be mindful of this. The longer you spend on the island the more you will get to see the real islanders!
4. Limestone Walls
People say we broke off from the Burren and that we have a similar landscape to the Burren. To me, our landscape is like no other. Yes, we have limestone rocks, generations of islanders broke these rocks and built miles and miles of stone walls. Some walls enclose fields used to sow potatoes, others to keep cattle in. There was no concrete back then but yet they still stand. No where in the world will you see stone wall building like it – walls that will stand longer than anyone who is lucky enough to admire them.
5. Language
The Irish language is spoken daily by less than 2% of the Irish population. Even though the generation that only spoke Irish, having no English at all, are no more, the Irish language is still spoken daily on the island, in our schools and communities. English is the global language and with globalisation comes change.
Visit the island in the quieter months, spend a weekend maybe more there and you will have ample opportunity to listen, learn and speak a cúpla focal(a few words).
