The Aran Islands and The Cliffs of Moher

Normally I'm not the organized tour type of guy,  I don't enjoy the organized fun aspect of it all and the rigid schedule that you have to keep.  But, I have to admit this was fun.  So we were picked up at our hotel, and we are off with 16 other people to see the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher.   Our guide, Peter made all the difference.   John F. Kennedy delivered a speech in Galway saying, "on a clear day you can see Boston."  Peter talked me into betting him a pint that you actually could see Boston from Galway.  Of course, there's a Boston Ireland near Galway. What do you know?

Our first stop was an ancient spring and old ruins. You see these types of ruins all around Ireland simple stone structures that used to have thatched roofs with every village having their own spring.  After a shortstop, we are off to catch the boat to the Aran Islands.

After a 30-minute boat ride to the Island, we jump in a tractor-pulled cart to tour the Island.  We make 2 stops, first at a shipwreck and then a Graveyard.  The Graveyard has the ruins of an old church surrounded by shifting sands.  The shipwreck on Aran Island happened in 1960. Our Island guide was a boy at the time said it was an early Christmas for the Island. Carrying whiskey and other grocery store goods.  The crew was saved, and there was plunder for all.

There are 100 families on this Island they own 20 acres each. Our guide can trace back 7 generations. In his lifetime land was for sale twice because the family had no ancestors to pass the land down to. When he was a boy, there was no electricity his first time seeing TV was at the lighthouse when the caretakers got electricity. It was a 2-hour row to shore before they finally got outboard engines. One advantage was that they were relatively unaffected by the turmoil on the mainland of Ireland. No famine or British landlords to deal with.  When the potato crop failed, they still had fish.

After lunch on the Island, we take a tour of the Cliffs of Moher.  They are the second most visited site in Ireland, the first being the Genisses Store House.  After getting close to the cliffs, we can understand why 1.5 million people come here every year to visit. They are a sight to behold.  After docking, we take the bus to the top of the Cliff for a walk along the edge even more impressive.

On the way back from Galway we take a different route back.  We stop at a valley overlook to take in a view of Tolkien's of Lord of the Rings House. The Valley between the two Burns (Rocky Hill Side) is supposedly the inspiration for middle earth.

From here it is a short ride to Galway and our day trip is over with. Even though I'm not a fan of the guided tour.  I was good to see all these places.  It is now seared into the part of my memory that is unforgettable.