We travelled 1 hour today by bus from Galway to the boat dock at Rossaveal. There we caught the Aran Islands Ferry across the Atlantic waters to Inis Mor (The Big Island).

The waters across were a bit of rock & roll, no issues with us, but a couple of young girls did not fare so well 🤢

Once we landed on Inis Mor we caught a bus tour of the island with a local gentleman that drove us and told us all about his island. He spoke with a strong Irish accent, the people here primarily speak Irish/Gaelic, so their accent when speaking English is very strong.

We made an extended stop at Dun Aonghasa, an ancient rock fortress that they estimate was established 1100-500 years BC. It is an amazing archaeological site on a steep hill that is literally on the edge of steep Atlantic cliffs. It must have been an impressive and impenetrable fortress in those ancient times. It is worth a visit to this remote island to visit this magnificent site.

We toured other parts of the island, comprised of multiple small villages and agricultural lands with primarily cattle.

About 750 people inhabitants live full time on the island, and for some reason they all seem to know each other quite well 😉

We spent about 5 hours on the island, then took the ferry back across the rocky waters to the mainland of Ireland.

Tomorrow we bus to Donegal, an area of Joan’s Long Irish ancestors, then onto Portrush in Northern Ireland.

We have truly enjoyed our time in Ireland. It is a place of much ancient history and wonderfully friendly Irish folks!