Islands of Ireland

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Introduction

Ireland is a beautiful island with a wealth of history. There are smaller islands off the coast of Ireland, and these are some of the most fascinating places in the country. This will introduce you to three sets of islands: Aran Islands, Blasket Islands, Skellig Islands.

What life was like in the Blasket Islands
The Aran Islands
Aran Islands sweaters

more...

The Skellig Islands

Where monks lived in stone huts over 1000 years ago

Skellig Michael is the larger of these two islands, and it's an amazing World Heritage Site. This rocky crag, miles from shore, was home to a group of monks back in the 6th century. They lived in little rock huts reached by climbing hundreds of stone steps. If you have a chance, definitely go here - it's incredible and inspiring.

Little Skellig is a bird sanctuary, home to thousands of nesting pairs of gannets. If you're lucky enough to get a boat out to Skellig Michael, you'll get a close up view of Little Skellig too.

Video - Abandoned Skellig Islands

Ireland: Skellig Islands, abandoned monastery

1500 years ago, Irish monks lived in tiny stone huts on the island of Skellig Michael. Today it's a visit you'll never forget.

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The Blasket Islands

Abandoned in the 1950s

This set of 6 islands lies off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula. The largest, Great Blasket, was home to a hardy colony of over 100 people until 1953, when they were forced to move to the "mainland" of Ireland. Because they were so isolated, their community retained the traditional Irish ways longer than most places.

Now the islands are abandoned. You can take a ferry over, and hike around the rugged island, imagining what life here was like.

What life was like in the Blasket Islands

Twenty Years A-Growing

by: Maurice O'Sullivan

Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2009)

Delightful book about growing up in the Blasket Islands (which are now abandoned). This is an inside view of a way of life that is now vanished. Entertaining, and highly recommended. A personal favorite!

The Aran Islands

Winter gales and warm sweaters

There are 3 Aran Islands. The largest is Inishmore, and it has the most people. The islands are harsh, windswept, and starkly beautiful, with fields divided by rock walls.

The locals speak Irish Gaelic, but they also speak English for the many tourists that come here. There are flights and ferries to the islands. Perhaps because of the frigid winter weather, the islands are famous for their hand-knit Aran sweaters.

The big islands
The little island

Aran Islands sweaters

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Trips to Ireland

When you're ready to go yourself

There are many, many trips to Ireland, but here are a few good options:

- Cycling trip to Ireland
- Family trip to Ireland
- Women's trip to Ireland

Ireland goodies on Cafe Press

More Ireland books from Amazon

How the Irish Saved Civilization (Hinges of History)

by: Thomas Cahill

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/09/2009)

McCarthy's Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland (A Lir book)

by: Pete McCarthy

Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2009)

What do you think of the Islands of Ireland?

Have you been there? Want to go? Any comments to add?

Lensmaster

globedancer wrote...

It's not always possible to get to Skellig Michael, since the sea's sometimes too rough for the boats to go out. It's worth waiting a couple of days if necessary, though. It's an amazing place!

Posted November 24, 2008

DeannaK

by DeannaK

Hello world. This is my bio. I can edit it later! (more)

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Islands of Ireland