The Aran Islands History and Landscape

Here, on the very edge of Europe, is an Island rich in the language, culture and heritage of Ireland, unique in its geology and archaeology and in its long tradition of gentle hospitality. Here is a place to sense the spirit of Gaelic Ireland, to touch the past, but with all the comforts and facilities of the present. Aran will take you back to an Ireland of Celts and Early Christians. This is an island of great peace and tranquility, but it is also an island of great fun and activity.

A timeless land in an endless sea, weathered monuments on awesome cliffs, great labyrinths of limestone, meandering walls, patchwork fields, quiet beaches and a welcoming island people, this is Aran in Galway bay on the west coast of Ireland...

Facts The Aran Islands consist of three Islands –Inishmore (or Inis Mórin in Irish) –Inishmaan (Inis Meánin – „the middle island“) –Inishere (Inis Óirr – „the south island“)

The Aran Islands Located just off the coast of western Ireland About 40 kilometers of Galway Area of 47 square kilometers 1000 inhabitants

Galway Bay and the Aran Islands from space. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, NASA GSFC I R E L A N D Galway Bay Galway The Arans Inishmore Inishmaan Inishere The Western Island

Inishmore Inishmore is the largest of the three islands ‚Capital‘ of the Arans Its principle village is Kilronan The most famous site is the great stone fortress of Dun Aonghasa…

Fort Dun Aonghasa

Dun Aonghasa (Fort of Angus) largest and most famous of the forts on the Arans on the edge (100m) of a cliff falling into the Atlantic Ocean

Inishmaan Contains lots of monuments Ancient churches 15th century temples Prehistoric times represented by a large stone fort

Inishere Smallest of the three islands Only 300 inhabitants

History (geology) Formed 350 million years ago Dead marine life forms & pressure create various layers (strata) of limestone

Biggest influence – most recent Ice Age ice shaped landscape Soil was eroded entirely by wind and rain, Later by farming practices

Curious phenomenon Puffling –holes a cave, created by waves under the rock causes…

Puffling hole

History – Settlers (2) Winds erode most of the land Islanders create new soil (film) out of beach sand, seaweed, fish meal, manure (Dünger) Potatoes and other vegetables Living conditions are hard – people are poor

History (3) When Ireland converts to Christianity –Several Churches and monasteries are built –English Empire (Cromwell) plunders several forts on Inishmore in the late 17th century –Later islands stay untouched

Today Settlers still fishermen and farmers Tourism brings money – 250,000 visitors each year Government and European Community help with funds Islanders are members in global community and preserve their own cultural heritage

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