Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are located approximately 48km (30 miles) out from the mouth of Galway Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. The largest of the three islands is Inishmore (or Inis Mór) which measures just 14km (9 miles) from tip to tip and 4.8km (3 miles) at its widest point. The islands are famous for their prehistoric and Christian monuments including the spectacular Dún Aengus fort that is one of best examples of this type of fort in all of Europe. The fortified inner citadel is protected by huge semicircular ringed defences and the chevaux-de-frise, a cliff face peppered with sharp shards of rock jutting out intended to impede the advance of an attacking army. Other ancient stone forts worth visiting include Dún Eoghanachta and the crumbling Dún Dúcathair. The stunning islands are criss-crossed with thousands of miles of stone walls and visitors flock to the islands to enjoy the cliff-top walks and spectacular coastal scenery. The islands are also home to more than 430 different varieties of wild flowers and plants making them popular with botanists. Inishmore can get quite busy during the summer months but the other islands, Inishmaan (or Inis Meáin) and the smallest, Inisheer (Inis Thiar, or Inis Oírr), are less busy and can offer visitors a more authentic experience. But all three islands have held on to their ancient traditions including the use of Gaelic language (although English is also widely spoken).