The Aran Island of Inishmore and the Irish

The Aran Island of Inishmore, our first grand group adventure in Ireland outside of the Dublin Area. Saturday morning we woke early for breakfast followed by a bus ride to the port of Galway and then a ferry ride to the largest of the three Aran Islands, Inishmore. The Aran Islands have been inhabited since 3000 B.C. for rituals and burial grounds as evidence in the massive stone structures found on the island and those scattered throughout Ireland.

Our journey took us by way of van through the city of Kilronan (well, the small town of Kilronan) along the narrow twisting roads, past the houses for humans and the smaller houses for Leprechauns (most houses had a smaller version that was said to be for Leprechauns), to the base of Dún Aonghasa. Dún Aonghasa was what was left of a great stone fort that dated back somewhere between the Bronze Age and the Iron Age 1100 B.C to 500 A.D. These forts are scattered across Ireland and their specific purposes are not really known. Many theories have surfaced from militarily to ritual based, but for us it’s an amazing historical site of ancient stones, incredible views, and underlying mystery.

As we walk down from the site a few of us discuss our capacity to grasp and understand such magnificence. How many thousands of different people have walked that path and for how many different reasons; kings, priests, nobles, peasants, tourists from Moscow to Dallas, presidents and parliamentarians, teachers, and even a class of students from Portland, Oregon. But what does it mean and what do we have the capacity to capture? One things is certain; it’s a privilege and what an amazing opportunity that we can even ponder such thoughts.

The mysteries in Ireland are everywhere; a constant deciphering is necessary to grasp the historical significance for sure.

As we make our way to the base of the site, I see that there are a couple of shops. I think, of course tourists shops, but then remember reading that the Aran Islands are renowned for their sweaters and woolen items. I also realize that there are many mysteries in Ireland but one thing is for sure and that’s the sincerity and friendliness of the people. So it’s in I go. I walk into the first shop Faílte An Púnán, I squeeze into a small space and see woven wool shelved on all walls. There are scattered assortments of touristy musts, like post cards, jams, trinkets, and Name patches, but for the most part its wool, wool, wool. I know I need a gift for mom and am immediately drawn to the cute little hand woven hats. Mom would love ‘em. I spend a few moments weighing the color option and finally decide. I turn to pay and find a nice old lady behind the register. I hand her the hat and she smiles with approval, “that’s been a popular color lately,” I smirk to myself and think, “my social norms are strong,” and then I return to the moment. I say it is for my mom and she smiles back with delight, “oh she’ll love it, I made it myself.” We complete the sale, she hands me the bag with mom’s hat in it and then she hands me a card, “here is my email if you would like any other of my handmade products or if your mother has any questions my name is Frances and she can email me.” My smile grows, Frances just personally offered to answer my mom’s questions and personalized her product. Now it might not be all of that that is so unique to the Irish, it’s more the sincerity and the excitement that she had knowing that my mother will enjoy a hat the she, Frances, made. I thank her, we exchange smiles and I leave. As I’m leaving I think to myself what could possibly make this experience better and my mothers hat more genuine…bing…a selfie with Frances. I pop back into the shop, greeted by Frances’s smile. I ask her if she would take a selfie with me for my mom and she obliges with a slight chuckle, she obviously hip to the norm.

We get back on the bus in return to more island adventures and I reflect in contentment, “Historical Irish Structures and Friendly beautiful Irish people…. Ireland is pretty cool.”