Ireland 2009: Day 5, The Aran Islands Trip

We found the details of the choices last night on the internet. Local Ferry and 90 minute boat ride of ~1 hour bus ride and 40 minute boat ride. the online reservation, with a discount of course, was not clear on the cost of the bus so Chris and I drove downtown to work it out and buy the tickets. We were able to get Sr. discounts, not available on the internet. Had to buy ferry tickets one place and bus tickets across the street when they opened. Decided to drive back and call a cab to the bus. Took no time and 7 Euros for the cab. This got us on the bus, to the boat and on the water by 10:30 with a 4:00 return. Damp, a little rainy with a promis of clearing afternoon. The ride ove r was a little choppy with the boat swinging and swaying a bit, but nothing we could not handle. We landed and walked to the minibuses. Chris ran ahead to be sure that the offered 10 E of the first bus we came across was not out of line. You could tell it was still summer on Inis Mor by the way our driver dressed.

We got on the bus and were given every fact and figure to do with the island. population, height, e=width, length, years etc. We drove by the Aran Island Man house, now for sale for 500,000 E. And on to Na Seacht dTeampaill.

The bus went on to the fr corner of the island and we stopped in a villave built around the main attraction. We stopped for a lunch of Guinness Beef stew and soup and, of course Guinness. After lunch mom shopped around the village and Chris and I did the walk to the coast and the fort. On the way I stopped in a tiny shop and bought my Aran Island sweater, We had a great time with the proprietor and knitter, Sarah Flaherty. Mom happened by the same shop and bought a hat while we were up the hill.

The highlight was Dún Aonghasa This is an old stone fort dating back to 1500 BC.