Aran Islands

Got up early and hopped on the shuttle bus to the Aran islands. These are a set of three islands that are about 14miles long by 5 miles wide. Inish Mor is the larger of the three, and our destination today. Once we got to the main dock in Rosenvale, we boarded the big Aran Islands ferry and headed out to sea for our 30 minute journey. The seas were calm, so no problems with people puking over the edge of the boat or anything haha. Had a bunch of funny folks from Italy on board...they made the trip rather amusing.

Once we arrived at Inish Mor, we hopped on the mini bus that would take us up to our base camp....well not really base camp, more like a sweater shop at the base of the hill we would be climbing. Took about 45 minutes, but we made it up to the top of the hill and into the old circle fort that still resided there. Once through the fort, you are on the edge of a 200 meter high cliff that drops straight off into the ocean. IT WAS AWESOME. Don't worry, I didn't get too close to the edge. I tried to stay within 2 feet of falling off at all times.

After 30 minutes up on top of the world, we climbed back down the hill and walked around the western side of the island near the beaches. We came across a really neat old burial ground with huge celtic crosses marking the graves. They say these grounds go back to the 400's. We then came to a site called the "seven churches," and old church shaped like a cross with seven smaller buildings around it. Most of the smaller buildings had fallen, but the largest church remained standing. Pretty good for a 2000 year old building.

Made our way back to the main town and stopped off at the Aran sweater market to check out the handmade wears they had there. I would get one if wool didn't make me itch like a crazy person. So no purchases were made...probably for the best since the sweaters were 125 bucks. YA I KNOW. WOO.

Hiked back down the rest of the way through the town (it's pretty hilly) and made our way over to the ferry. Got chased around by a funny little dog on my way. He decided I was his play buddy and kept wanting me to throw the stick he was holding, so of course I obliged. I think I threw that stick about 30 times. So I have a new dog pal in ireland, rock on haha.

Got on the boat and went back to Galway to stay the night. Because tomorrow I have another trek to go on. The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, YES! Hiking and more hiking :)