Exploring the Aran Islands: A Journey Through Time
(37 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Gabrielle Estel
Cedar Rapids, IA
International Travel Leisure Specialist
I live to travel. I’ve invested over 4 years of my life living abroad.
I lived in Taiwan and explored Asia. Then, I moved to Egypt and explore the Mediterranean and the Sahara. From living with a host family in Spain as you...
I live to travel. I’ve invested over 4 years of my life living abroad.
I lived in Taiwan and explored Asia. Then, I moved to Egypt and explore the Mediterranean and the Sahara. From living with a host family in Spain as young teenager to honeymooning in Italy, travel has always marked my life milestones. Now I’m back in my Iowan home state to help others plan their own dream experiences across the globe. Travel is my life.
Let me share my life with you.
ARTS & CULTURE
My husband is my main travel buddy. He’s a history guy; I’m a literature girl. Between the both of us, we have to see every museum, temple, cathedral, statue --- you name it!
Over my years of travel, I’ve learned art and culture is more than the highlight real. It’s also exploring a local Greek market, listening to a Korean grandmother describe her love of fan-painting, trying homemade Italian dishes at a rooftop dinner party, having a quiet moment in a café watching uniformed King’s College students rush through Canterbury to their morning classes, bargaining for a brick of tea in China.
These little moments of life are art and culture.
FOOD & WINE
Food is the heart of a country. Food tours are journeys to the heart of a place---and the locals. Local food tour guides know every alley, and cooking instructors always welcome travelers into their family. They’re the best to ask for any last minute recommendations and to have a better understanding of culture through the kitchen. Sometimes the kitchen is the desert, like roasting chicken in Egyptian with a side of koshari. My personal favorite are moon cakes to celebrate Mid-Autumn festival and Scottish eggs in Bath.
Nothing is as engrained in a place as food. It an easy way to experience a place’s every day.
EXPLORATION & ADVENTURE
Let’s take the path less traveled.
That path might be a horse ride through the mountains, a dune buggy through the dunes, a hike up an along the spine of a mountain, a gondola ride above the jungle outside Hong Kong, or a peak at North Korea at the DMZ.
Whatever type of heart racing you’re looking for, I can find.
I'll never forget the first time I set foot on the Aran Islands, a remote archipelago off the western coast of Ireland. It was a blustery morning, and the ferry ride had been an adventure in itself, with waves crashing against the bow and seagulls soaring overhead. My love for exploration and my fascination with remote places had brought me to the Aran Islands. As the islands came into view, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement that only comes with exploring a place steeped in history and tradition.
Inishmore, the largest of the three islands, was my destination. The moment I stepped onto its shores, my eyes were greeted by the ancient stone walls that crisscrossed the island. These walls, built by generations of islanders, are a testament to the resourcefulness and determination of the people who have called these islands home for centuries.
The landscape of Inishmore was unlike anything I had ever seen. It was a patchwork of lush green fields, rocky outcrops, and towering cliffs, all divided by an intricate network of stone walls. These walls, constructed without the use of mortar, stretched for miles across the island, creating a stunning mosaic of patterns that seemed to blend seamlessly with the natural terrain. I marveled at their functionality. They served as windbreaks for crops and provided shelter for livestock, but they also told a story of centuries of hard work and craftsmanship. Some of the walls were weathered and ancient, barely a lattice of stone and green, while others had been recently repaired by the islanders, ensuring that this tradition of dry stone wall construction continued to thrive.
My favorite sight to explore was Dún Aonghasa, a hidden gem perched majestically on the edge of a sheer cliff on Inishmore. The fort sat on a miniature Cliffs of Mohr coastline with nothing between me and the steep drop to the ocean. This ancient stone fort, dating back to the Bronze Age, defied time and gravity. Its jagged stone wall challenged the elements. As I stood at the edge of this remarkable structure, I felt a profound connection to the past. The wind whipped through my hair, carrying with it the echoes of Celtic legends and the stories of warriors who had defended these cliffs.
Near Dún Aonghasa is my favorite Aran sweater shop, An Túirne. It was recommended to me my a local friend and is across the road from an adorable café. I knew I’d buy a blanket and sweater before even entering the ship. These iconic woolen garments, hand-knitted by the island's skilled artisans, tell stories of their own. Each stitch and pattern has a meaning, and the sweaters are not just a source of warmth but also a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Aran Islands.
Leaving the Aran Islands was bittersweet, but I knew that the memories and experiences I had gained would stay with me forever. The islands had captured my heart, and I left with a deep appreciation for the people, the history, and the timeless beauty of this remote corner of the world, where stone walls still stand as enduring monuments to the islanders' resilience and ingenuity.a