Drumcreehy House serves the best breakfast in Ireland. Incredible! But we didn't have time to linger as we needed to catch the ferry from Doolin to Inisheer, the smallest of the Aran Islands. The sun was a bit of a concern but on the island a lovely cool breeze kept us very confortable in our jumpers.
These islands were completely covered in rock and stones, which had to be removed. The islanders used the stones to build walls to make small paddocks where they could keep a couple of cows.
The walls formed the narrow roads where a small tractor can drive. These tractors, along with bikes, seemed to be the most common mode of transportation for the local community.
The rock was a very abundant resource for house building.
Castle building
And church building. Over time this church kept getting buried in sand, they would dig it out then the wind would blow the sand back again. Eventually they let nature have its way so the church sits lower than the cemetery.
This tiny beehive structure was a monk's house...
Whether your choice is a jaunting car, a bicycle or a tractor, the price is the same for a tour of the island. We chose the tractor with a young woman driver, who took us round the sights.
A shipwreck sits on the rocks, exposed to the elements.
The castle was built to defend the island but it never came under attack
The cemetery has a lovely outlook over the village and the ocean. Seems a bit of a waste of a great view..
Inisheer is a very pretty island with a population of about 200. The schools are well stocked with teachers and the young people are able to complete their education on the island, only leaving to attend university with many returning after marrying so their children can grow up on the island.
Our trip back took us via the Cliffs of Moher, so we were able to enjoy the cliffs from a different perspective.
And a most exciting part of the trip was sighting a puffin swimming in the water. Its little red feet were flapping so quickly it's a wonder they didn't fall off. A lady on the boat almost went hysterical with excitement. Her hands and arms were flapping as hard as the puffin's!
Our ferry docked at the pier in Doolin so we had a stroll along this gorgeous street. The colourful houses and thatched roofs are beautiful. The day ended with another feed of fish and chips.
No comments:
Post a Comment