Inis Oírr (Part I)

Oh my goodness, so I know this is probably a silly thing to be excited about, but one more like on Facebook until 150! That’s a lot of likes! That’s a lot of people liking! That’s a lot of people reading.
gulp hitherenicetomeetyouthanksforvisiting!

The Aran Islands are a popular tourist destination, but definitely worth the stop. It was a rough day on the sea so we only managed to hit the second island, but I still had a really great time and if I’m honest I don’t know if I would have lasted another forty minutes on the rocking boat. An Gaeltact means “Gaelspeak”, and that means that they try only to speak Irish in the area, and it’s recognized by everyone as the main language. It is pretty awesome, actually. Menus are in Gaelic, signs, etc. We visited a few towns like that because languages are amazing and it’s a certain slice of heave to just sit and listen sometimes.

Ahem. Also. That horse totally looks like he’s wearing a wig, am I right?

   
   

   
   

We did the touristy thing and took a guided tour in a horse drawn carriage, but I’m glad we did because the island is quite small and after the tour we knew exactly where we wanted to go (the shipwreck, the ruins, etc) on our own just the two of us. Inis Oírr was a breath of fresh air. Any car on the island is from at least 1980 or older. There are a few horses, but most people walk. The total population of the island is about 200-300. Most people we had spoken to had lived their entire lives on that island (with no desire to go). They fish, encourage tourists, have a little cattle, and have a local pub and shop or two. Sometimes they take the boat to Galway for the day. Some of the houses have solar paneling for heat and energy and the island is entirely self reliant.

Once upon a time all of Ireland looked like Inis Oírr.