Current location: Aran Islands
The Proscenium
It is true that Ireland never ceases to surprise you, and it was during this weekend that I had further confirmation of it.
I had booked in advance to visit the largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mór, and so on Friday, right after work, I took a bus that left from Dublin Bus Station (near the Merchant’s Arch) to Galway. After about two hours, I reached the city and was so hungry that I started looking for somewhere to grab some food.
Friday night without having booked a restaurant means only one thing: no food at all for Ele that night but, against all odds, after about an hour and a half running through the streets of Galway I moved to a less frequented area where I found a wonderful restaurant and a waitress who spoke Italian. So, after eating my burger I headed to my Airbnb, ready for the big trip on Saturday.
The Apron
The weather was supposed to be really bad and stormy but, in the morning, I woke up and an unusual sun was shining on Galway. After racing like crazy to catch the bus, I finally managed to get on the boat to Inis Mór. Once arrived, I decided that the best solution for me was to rent a bike and ride the island. I passed by “the seal spot”, a fantastic viewpoint where you can admire a seal colony swimming with their babies. Later I reached Dun Aengus, a large prehistoric cashel (Irish for fortress) of eleven acres located on the island, historically considered of great maritime power.
The crazy view that can be seen from here gives the shivers: an endless cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. What could be better?
Going back to the village with my bike (the small road that leads to the cliff cannot be travelled by bike but only on foot because, being considered a sacred place by the Druids, it is not good for tourists to “desecrate” it with means of transport).
The Stage
After lunch I ventured to take a closer look at the Wormhole, also called in Irish Poll na bPéist. It is a natural rectangular pool in which the sea ebbs and flows at the bottom of the cliffs south of Dun Aengus. You can only access it by walking east along the cliffs from Dun Aengus, or more easily by following the signs from the village of Gort na gCapall.
In conclusion, I decided that I could not deprive myself of a swim in the Atlantic at Kilmurvey Beach: a beach with crystal clear (and incredibly icy) water and white sand. Needless to say, I just came back from this amazing place but I can’t wait to return to it as soon as possible!
