Today we head off of the mainland of the Republic and to the Aran Islands, more specifically Inis Moor or Inishmore, the largest of the three islands. They are located about 6-8 miles off the west coast of Ireland. To live there would take a special person, because about all you see for the majority of the land is rock. They make fences that go for miles out of them. It is spectacular and it is kind of a glimpse of how simple life can be if you let it. The land however is populated by 840 (for Inis Mor) and is known for it’s dedication to Irish culture and specifically the gaelic language.
We grab a couple of bikes despite the drizzly weather and start our journey. We quickly go off road where my bike is not equipped to be (I selected a road bike). My chain falls off and then well... so do I. Right into a briar bush to be exact. Thank God I’m layered. Now I’m wet, cold and pissed. We get back to the road and carry on. We check out Kilmurvey Beach where there are supposed to be a seal settlement. None today. Guess the seals don’t want to get as wet as we are getting. ;) We see more cairns, horses, goats and cows along with other sights before coming upon Na Seacht Teampaill (The Seven Churches). Tammy has gone ahead so I take a quiet moment to look at the graves and have an RX Bar. Shortly after we head to Dun Aonghasa. For the first time you realize... “man... we are really on an island in the middle of the ocean. It makes you feel really small. We look at the spectacular stone wall before we decide to move along.
The weather is truly just miserable and there isn’t a portion of my entire body that isn’t drenched. I’m exhausted from biking an entire island and don’t really want to go on much further before I spot an adorable little donkey. I take a break to go pet him and start missing my pet donkey Jack, from when I was little. Although I could stay with him forever I move along and am finally rewarded for my work across this island with a beer at TJ Watty’s pub. These beers go down quicker than any that we have had thusfar. We return our bikes and head to the dock.
On our way back to Galway we spot a seaside restaurant. We are both starving so we stop in to grab a bite before heading back to Galway. We finish and head home. We are both a bit exhausted and decide to have an early night before heading down to Doolin tomorrow. Good night everyone.
