Arriving in Rosaveel an hour outside Galway, we took the 6:30 ferry to the largest of the three Aran Islands- Inismór. When we arrived, we were picked up by the Aran Islands Hotel and taken to our accomodation right across from the ocean. The staff were so welcoming and our three course dinner that evening was to die for. Our hotel room was massive and we had two nights booked there. We had an early night and prepared for our full day exploring the next day.
The next morning we had a full Irish breakfast which was included in the price but I was pleasantly surprised to see a veggie breakfast option on the menu. I was even more surprised when I got it. It was the best veggie breakfast I'd ever had.
After breakfast we were picked up by the tour and driven all around the island to Inismór village, Dùn Aongheasa fort and throughout the tiny narrow roads of the island along the coast. We were super lucky with the weather and we really enjoyed the day even more with the sun shining. The walk up to the fort was lovely and when I got to the top the view from the cliff edge was beautiful but slightly scary. The sheer drop down to the Wild Atlantic Ocean was so steep with no barriers around the edge and it made me think of the Cliffs of Moher. This was the largest fort in Western Europe and over 2000 years old with some amazing history. The tour continued for the next while and we were then given the option to be dropped in the village, which we did. We did some shopping in the Aran wool sweater shops where I got a beautiful sweater for 50% off. We also looked in the gift shops and then stopped by the local bar for some fish and seafood chowder, which was delicious. It was like being in a different country listening to everyone speak Irish around us. This was a Gaeltacht area where many of my school friends would have spent their summers learning Irish with locals. The west is one of the only places in Ireland where they speak Irish fluently and only 7% of the country actually speaks it fluently. Later after walking back to the hotel we chilled out and later that evening we got a lift to Joe Watties Bar where everyone seemed to be. They had lovely cider and good Irish music there.
The next morning we had another lovely breakfast and then took the 12pm ferry back to the mainland where we would take the car to Dingle, Co. Kerry. Our trip to the Aran Islands had been brilliant and the weather made it even better! I can't wish to go back again.
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