Alright...it was a fantastic day! Started with another very good Irish breakfast. Then we travelled from Galway to Rossavee where we were to board a ferry for the trip to Kilronan on the Aran Island of Innis Mor. The drive was along the north shore of Galway Bay and took about 40 minutes. Along the way we saw the typical houses we have seen all over Ireland but what stood out most were the rocks. There were rocks just everywhere and they were put everywhere. Mostly in a myriad of fences but also in houses, walkways, and any other place a rock could be put. Looking at the fences I was reminded of a line from a Frost poem "Something there is that doesn't love a wall, that wants it down." because that "something" had been at work in Ireland too. It is rather amazing, however, that the walls do manage to stand as well as then do because many them are only one rock wide. I began to wonder if they had different kinds of walls; one rock, two rock, etc.
Balancing rocks must be a skill.
The ride to Kilronan was grand. I love being on the water. The weather was blustery to say the least and a couple times it started to rain but we stood on the stern and watched all the activity on the water.
Upon disembarking we went to a pub where we met BJ.
He is the owner, the cleaner, the server, the cook, bottle washer, fixer, entertainer, historian, and absolutely one of the highlights of the trip. He sang us a song he wrote in "the Irish" as that is his first language and sang a couple more in English. Between songs he told us about his home, Innis Mor. Very knowledgable, funny, and very much in love with the way of life on the island which he described as almost like being in a different country.
Then we were driven to the Dun Aonghasa area. We were close but to get there we had to walk some distance and it was a combination of horizontal and vertical. The path started out covered with small stones and gradually changed to rock which seemed to get larger the closer we got to the top. The fort is over 2500 years old and it is easy to understand it's placement; the highest part of the island, its back to 200 foot cliffs, and its front with a complete view of the island and potential attackers facing a tiring climb.
Couldn't stay up there long - on a tour ya know. Down we came and I was glad to just sit in the sun while Joan examined the shoppes. On the boat ride back we both napped a bit and were very pleased to have a quiet night to ourselves.
Shaun and Joan McMahon
Location:Innis Mor
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