Aran Islands - Kilronan, Black Fort, and a few Saints

There are three Aran Islands - Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer. The largest is Inishmore (9 miles by 2 miles). It is the most populated and visited island. The landscape of all of them are steep, rugged cliffs, and fields divided by stone walls. The main language in all of these islands is Gaelic. 

We got the ferry from Rossaveel in the morning. Rossaveel is about 45 minutes outside of Galway. The ferry took about 40 minutes to get to Inishmore Island. Everyone survived the ferry boat - no vomiting and no dizziness! 

We arrived in Kilronan which is the Aran Islands' biggest town even though it is just a village. There are a few shops, B&Bs, pubs, and one ATM. It just happened to be a very nice day so most people that got off the ferry rented bicycles. We thought about it but we were afraid it would be too difficult on the children with the steep terrain. They have taxi minivans all lined up when you get off the ferry. They charge per person and your driver will take you all over the island. We decided that would be the best way to tour the island especially with little L. 

Kilronan Village

Aran Sweater Market

Our first stop was the Black Fort (Dún Duchathair). This is a very dramatic fort. It is built with cliffs on three sides. The children loved climbing all around it. Did I mention that my children like to climb? 

Black Fort

L and Joe

View from the opening in the Black Fort 

K and T at the Black Fort

Panoramic picture from the top of the Black Fort

Thatched Cottage

See the tiny house on the right side...those are houses the
owners build for the leprechauns. I'm not joking!!

The beach on the island 

The taxi driver let us off at the beach for 10 minutes to walk around. Joe picked up some neat looking shells with the children. Our driver told us this past summer they had record high temps on the island so I assume these beaches were busy since the houses do not have air conditioning.  

The mortarless rock walls that divide up property

St. Benen's Church

This is an example of a Celtic church construction. It marks the original location of the monastic settlement founded by St. Benen. St. Benen is a disciple of St. Patrick. This church dates back to the 11th century and it was dedicated to St Benen.

St. Kieran's Church

St. Kieran is one of the first twelve bishops consecrated by St. Patrick, and is honored as the first Irish born saint. He is known as St. Kieran the Younger. He studied here at the monastery in Inishmore with St. Enda. He felt called to found a great monastery. He founded a monastery at Conmacnoise (in central Ireland). It attracted students all over Europe. 

St. Enda also has his own church on the island but we did not see it.  St. Enda brought Christianity to the Aran Islands in the 5th century. St. Enda is said to be buried at his church along with 125 other saints from the 5th century that came to the island to learn from him. St. Columba (Colmcille in Irish) and St. Brendan were also educated here. St. Colmcille continued to found a monastery on the island of Iona in Scotland, where the Book of Kells was later written. You can see the Book of Kells in Trinity College in Dublin.