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Aran Islands
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The Aran Islands are
a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the
west coast of Ireland. The largest island is Inishmore which is also
known as Aranmore. The middle and second largest is Inishmaan and
the smallest is Inisheer. The islands have formed from a limestone
ridge, and their isolation has allowed traditional Irish culture and
language to thrive. The landscape of the Aran Islands is
particularly striking, with lush fields crossed by stone walls,
beautiful cliff walks and lovely beaches. The islands have an
abundance of wildlife and some 437 varieties of wild flowers.
Inismóre island is about thirty miles out in the Atlantic Ocean and
covers approximately sixteen square miles. The main village on
Inishmore is Kilronan where there is a good, deep harbour. An
excellent Visitor's Centre, Ionad Arainn, provides a solid
introduction to the history and culture of the island.
Inismóre is a walker's paradise. you can also experience the beauty
of this unspoilt wilderness on bicycle. Bicycle hire is available in
Kilronan village. Alternatively you can take a pony and trap, or a
guided tour with a modern minibus, from the pier.
Inismore includes several ancient stone forts and churches among its
antiquities. Most impressive of the stone forts is Dun Aengus. This
fort is dramatically situated on the edge of a cliff at a height of
100 meters overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on Inishmore. It consists
of a series of concentric circular walls, the innermost - the
citadel - encloses an area approximately 50 meters in diameter with
4m thick walls of stone.
Inismaan is the middle island and is prehaps the most untouched of
the three Aran Islands. Here you will experience the natural,
cultural, traditional way of life of the islanders. This botanical
paradise has over 300 flowering plants from places as far apart as
the Arctic and the Mediterranean region. Among the plants to be
found on the island are Orchids, Honeysuckle and Irish Saxifrage. A
wide variety of nesting birds and natural ecosystems are also to be
found
Inisheer is the smallest of the three Aran Islands and is an outdrop
of the renowned Burren Landscape in Co Clare. Having an abundance of
flora, fauna and nesting birds, it is a haven for botanists and
nature lovers.
The Aran Islands can be reached by sea by catching a ferry at
Rossaveal, or by air at Connemara Regional airport near Inverin. |
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Aran Islands Holiday Homes - County Galway, Ireland