Aran Islands
The Aran Islands (English Aran Islands, Irish Oileáin Árann [ ˌ ilɑ ː n ɑ ː rən ] ) are an archipelago off the west coast of Ireland in Galway Bay. The for County Galway belonging islands are Inishmore ( anglicised Irish Arainn [ ɑ ː rən ʲ ] or Inis Mór [ ˌ iniʃ mo ː r] ), Inishmaan ( Inis Meáin [ ˌ iniʃ m ʲ ɑ ː n]) and Inisheer ( Inis Oírr [ ˌ iniʃ i ː r] or Inis Oirtheach [ ˌ iniʃ irhəx ] ).
- 4.1 Aran Sweater
Geography
The total size is around 51 km ². The largest island, Inishmore, on the places Kilronan itself (Irish Cill Rónáin [ ˌ ki ː l ʲ ro ː nɑ ː n]) and Kilmurvy (Irish Cill Mhuirbhigh [ ˌ ki ː l ʲ we ʲ əv ʲ ə ] ) are located, is 13 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide. 2006, the population was 1225 persons.
The Aran Islands are of small-scale gardens, surrounded by stone walls, embossed. These gardens were created on the formerly barren rock islands in toil. These stranded seaweed and sand was spread on the floor. Through the walls was prevented, that the ground gained swept away by the next rain or storm or was blown away.
Geology
The barren limestone islands put the geological formation of the Burren continued on the Irish mainland.
History
In the 18th century, about 5,000 people lived on the islands. Today there are 1225 people who permanently reside on the islands have (as of 2006); other work on the mainland and spend most of the summer months on the islands.
Main source of income of residents for years was the fishing. However, this was almost abandoned in the mid -1990s. In return, there was generous support payments by the European Union. Many former fishing changed in the tourism business, opened shops, bus driver or operated restaurants were. Many residents left the islands.
Today there is a very strong age gradient. There are about 80 students on the island. Many of them leave their home countries after their 18th birthday and are due to lack of jobs, do not return. This meant that the majority of the population is over 50 years old and the number of residents is steadily declining.
Culture
On Inishmaan and Inisheer Irish is a form of Gaelic, the main language of the residents.
The Aran Islands are known for the knitwear of the locals. The dress of the women consists of a red flannel skirt and a Häkeltuch, Men of a sleeveless tweed jacket and a colorful woolen belt. Traditional means of transportation between the islands was for a long time which is no longer used Curragh, a flat-bottomed boat of tarred canvas.
The culture of the Aran Islands, particularly the use of Gaelic, still attracts many visitors. The writer John Millington Synge lived from 1899 to 1902 on the Aran Islands and wrote about them. Documentary filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty turned there from 1932 to 1934 the film The Men of Aran.
Economy
Today, agriculture, manufacturing and trade in textile products as well as the expanding tourism are the main sources of income of the residents. The fishery, which was the main source of income of residents in the last few decades, today plays only a minor role, as the islands ceded their fishing rights mid-1990s to the European Union ( EU). In return, the islands received subsidies from the EU.
For tourists sightseeing tours offered on Inishmore. Even by bike you can explore the island. Cross-country hikes are difficult because of the many stone walls.
The islands owe part of their fame to the film Man of Aran, the Robert J. Flaherty 1934 turned. He is regarded as one of the first ethnographic documentaries. There are numerous representations of the Aran Islands in the Irish and Anglo-Irish literature, especially from the time of the Irish Renaissance, John Millington Synge as The Aran Islands or his play Riders to the Sea. Nik Kershaw In enigmatic pop song The Riddle, the Aran Islands are also mentioned.
Aran Sweater
The islands awarded to the Aran Sweater her name. These traditional sweaters were made initially exclusively on the Aran Islands by hand. In the 20th century, its reputation grew, and they were exported not only to the Irish mainland, but worldwide. Therefore, most sweaters were from then machined. Today a small portion is knitted by hand on the Aran Islands. They are popular with tourists and provide a good source of income for the inhabitants of the Aran Islands.
Infrastructure on Inishmore
The main island consists of a main town and 13 other villages. A road network opens up the island. It has a supermarket, post office, a bank, three churches, three primary schools and a secondary school. In addition, numerous accommodation options are available, and there are numerous pubs and restaurants.
There are on Inishmore only diesel-powered vehicles. Until 1975 there was no electricity.
Attractions
The main attractions of the islands are the numerous prehistoric certificates as well as the traces of originating from the Christianization of the Holy Enda in the 5th century monastic tradition.
Worth seeing are:
- Inishmore Clochán na Carraige - the only preserved beehive hut of the islands
- Dun Aengus, or Dun Aonghasa, stone fort from the Bronze or Iron Age
- Dun Duchathair ( Dun Doocaher, German: "The Black Fort " ) - Promontory Fort
- Dun Eochla - Ring Fort near the highest point of the island of Inishmore
- Dun Eoghanachta - ring fort on Inishmore
- The small town of Kilronan on Inishmore with the Aran Heritage Centre
- Well Seacht dTeampaill ( German: "The Seven Churches " ) - former monastery
- Teampall Chiaráin - church ruins from the 12th century
- Dun Chonchúir on Inishmaan stone fort from the Iron Age
- Dun Fearbhaí Ringfort
- Dun Formna, remains of a ring forts with O'Brien 's Castle
Traffic
The Aran Islands are accessible by ferry from Galway city, Rossaveal in Connemara and Doolin in County Clare from. Furthermore, there are flights of Aer Arann from Connemara Airport to the island of Inishmore.