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Aran Islands:
The Aran Islands (Irish: Oileáin Árann)
are a group of three islands located at the mouth
of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. The largest
island is Inishmore also known as Aranmore (Irish:
Árainn (Mhór) or Inis Mór),
the middle and second-largest is Inishmaan (Inis
Meáin / Inis Meadhóin), and the
smallest and most eastern is Inisheer (Inis Thiar
or Inis Oírr / Inis Oirthir). Irish is
a spoken language on all three islands, and is the
language used for the names of the islands and many
of the island's villages and place names.
Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aran_Islands
These extremely rocky islands have more than 3000
miles of stone walls on them. The fields are small,
both because of the number of stones to be removed
and to help fight erosion. Once the stones were removed,
the dirt in the fields had to be actually created
by mixing seaweed, sand and what little dirt could
be found between the stones. The resulting layer of
dirt is only 1" to 1.5" thick, but because
of the high calcium content coming from the limestone,
it produces very healthy livestock.
Two ferry companies operate a regular services from
Rossaveal to Kilronan, the main village on Inis Mór.
Both companies offer four services a day during peak
season evenly spaced between 9am and 6pm. A regular
coach service links Galway to Rossaveal which is located
about 50km (one hour drive) the city. The crossing
takes about 40 minutes.
Aer Arann operate offers a service from Connemara
Regional Airport at Inverin. Inverin is located approximately
45 minutes drive from Galway city. There is a coach
service available from Galway city. Visit
their website for more details at Aer Arann
Travelling by ferry to Aran Islands visit Aran
Island Ferries or Aran
Direct for travel information. Sailings are from
Ros a Mhíl Quay - allow 1 hour journey time
from Galway City. If you require the coach connection
- you can join the coach (Lally Coach Hire) at the
Kinlay House Hostel stop on Merchant's Road, Galway
City.
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