The Aran Islands are mostly abandoned now, but once supported about 4000 people trying to flee the potato famine.
Tourism and fishing are about the only industries. Bicycle rentals and horse drawn carts are common. With such a small population, you have to be pretty self-sufficient, including being able to change your horse's shoes. In this part of Ireland, the accent is very strong, and locals speak Irish (Gaelic) to each other. It was totally incomprehensible to us.
The fields are full of abandoned structures. Rock walls are everywhere. It looks a lot like the Burren, except people have made an attempt to clear the fields of rock by building these low walls. There are way more than you would ever need to mark off your fields and keep in your livestock.
The island's claim to fame is this 3000 year old fort perched upon a cliff not unlike the Cliffs of Moher.
Unlike the Cliffs of Moher, there are no guard rails protecting the tourists from the abrupt drop to the ocean below.
Beautiful views, but stay away from the edge.
It was cloudy and windy today, but the rain has held off. We are off to Westport tomorrow.
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