Today we embarked on an optional tour to the Aran Islands from the port out of Gallway. There are three islands that make up the Aran Islands just off the northwest coast; we were headed out to the largest of the three called Inishmore. In an effort to avoid any further sickness on this trip, Julia opted to take a motion sickness pill for the charter boat ride there and back which helped very much and knocked her out for the boat ride. The weather today was much more traditional Irish gloom than what we have been experiencing so far on our trip (clear skies and sun out). It did not take long for the main land to disappear into the haze as we left from the harbor for an hour long ride over. The sea was a bit rough but nothing unmanageable and we arrived without incident to the island where we were immediately put onto a bus tour.

We were taken through the island’s history and beautiful landscape as we were driven to the Dun Aengus Fort. Once arrived, we were dropped off at the visitor center located at the bottom of the hill from the fort. From there we rucked up the beaten path, stopping for pictures all along the way as the view got better and better. We reached the fort and it was breathtaking. It is backed up directly to the western cliffs of the island and does not offer any form protection from falling. The view from the fort of the cliffs disappearing into the fog was just as awesome and the cliffs from yesterday! We took plenty of pictures and raced back down ahead of the rest of the tour group to reach the café before the crowd.

Lunch was as traditional as Irish could get. The café was one of maybe five cafes on the island and was housed in a small cottage down the road from the visitor’s center. We each picked up an Irish stew along with a strawberry pound cake to share; you could taste the home cooking in each dish. After scarfing down our meal, we went next door to the only ice cream shop on the island and headed over to the gift store. Julia picked up an Aran knit sweater from one of the shops which was hand knitted from the many sheep located here. We were bused back to the port for some free time before heading back to the mainland in the late afternoon.

For dinner, we headed to the McDonalds down the street from our hotel for a familiar taste. Tomorrow we head to the northern park of Ireland where the currency changes and they no longer accept Euro coins. In an effort to empty our pockets of our coins, on the way back from dinner, we swung by the market to buy some popular candies and treats.

Link: http://s1064.photobucket.com/user/rjklug/slideshow/Day%209

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