Okay, I know I’ve started the blog with so many “Today is a much-awaited, beautiful day!” But it really is! That’s the beauty of the ILE and Ireland…every day is more special and amazing than the last. And today is no exception–after a gray and sleepy hour-long bus ride, we arrived at the Ferry Harbor, where we are heading to…Inis Mór!!!!! “Inis Mór” is one of the three Aran Islands (Including Inis Meain and Inis Óirr), literally translating to “big island, “medium island,” and “small island.” Really creative names! The 45-minute ferry ride over was fantastic, and most deigned to sit up top, watching the mainland shrink away and the tiny island grow closer, wild sea spray splashing their faces.
We all got off at Kilronan Harbor, then got our bike rentals, buddied up, and were set loose for the day! (Well, until four.) Inis Mór is an absolutely gorgeous, unreal landscape. It’s the perfect description of untamed, rural, magical beauty–what with its rolling hills dotted with old stone fences, grazing draft horses and sheep and sweet cocoa cows, with its little rocky paths and crumbling ruins and storm-tossed cliffs–everyone fell in love.
Some people immedietley set off on their bikes to explore the many chilly beaches, The Worm Hole, or Dun Aengus–one of the old ruins, and some set off to find shelter in a warm restaurant for lunch before braving the rain once more. But, despite the drizzliness unabating (and even an absolute drenching downpour), everyone returned to the ferry hours later with–albeit cold–smiles and excited conversation. Some people even boasted new Aran knit sweaters and gifts for their friends and families!
After the beautiful (and slighlty storm-tossed) ferry ride home, we hopped onto the steamy bus and headed home. Yay for the Aran Islands!!!!
