{"id":873,"date":"2013-12-09T11:23:15","date_gmt":"2013-12-09T18:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/?p=873"},"modified":"2013-12-09T11:30:19","modified_gmt":"2013-12-09T18:30:19","slug":"the-aran-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/?p=873","title":{"rendered":"The Aran Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Another day in Ireland, another adventure. \u00c2\u00a0This time we were off to the Aran Islands, via water taxi from the port of Rossaveal. \u00c2\u00a0Once again, we left without Kristinia and Rob. \u00c2\u00a0I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m beginning to see a pattern here, boat ride, no Rob and Kristinia. \u00c2\u00a0Hmm, have to think about that. \u00c2\u00a0It was a misty day, not much chance for photography before getting to Inishmore, the large island.<\/p>\n<p>As soon as we hit the port, we lost our intrepid traveler, Jeannie, who hopped on a bicycle for a solitary and slightly damp tour of the island. \u00c2\u00a0Being more sensible(and older), we hopped on a mini bus and went off to the World Heritage Site of Dun Aonghasa, a stone fort with walls that were first erected ca. 1100 BC. The site is located on the south side of the island, on a cliff rising above the ocean.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"dun aonghasa.jpg\" alt=\"Dun aonghasa\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/dun-aonghasa.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, there was no barrier or fence along the sheer cliff edge.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"clliffs of dun aonghasa.jpg\" alt=\"Clliffs of dun aonghasa\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/clliffs-of-dun-aonghasa.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I actually saw one person lying down and hanging over the edge to get a photograph. \u00c2\u00a0No comment.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a motley looking crew.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"motley crew on  dun aonghasa.jpg\" alt=\"Motley crew on  dun aonghasa\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/motley-crew-on-dun-aonghasa.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Doug (recovered from vertigo from hanging over the edge), Kathy, Chris, John, Mother Mary Lou and Gina. \u00c2\u00a0This was a typical Irish day, alternating between misting and sunshine. \u00c2\u00a0Mostly misting while we were on Inishmore.<\/p>\n<p>The little village of Cill Mhuirbhigh (Kilkmurvey Village) below Dun Aonghasa.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"dun onghasa Cill Mhuirbhigh.jpg\" alt=\"Dun onghasa Cill Mhuirbhigh\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/dun-onghasa-Cill-Mhuirbhigh.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This stone structure was on the slope below Dun Aonghasa. \u00c2\u00a0No description was offered, but Rick and I determined through exhaustive research that it was used by the rulers of Dun Aonghasa to house the prisoners captured in the many raids and battles in the area.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"stone structure below dun aonghasa.jpg\" alt=\"Stone structure below dun aonghasa\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/stone-structure-below-dun-aonghasa.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>One of the ways one could get around Inishmore was by horse drawn carriage. \u00c2\u00a0Here is a rather attractive one.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"yellow hansom.jpg\" alt=\"Yellow hansom\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/yellow-hansom.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Na Seacht dTeampaill (Seven Churches)\u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.emmedici.com\/journeys\/aran\/echiese.htm#seacht\">http:\/\/www.emmedici.com\/journeys\/aran\/echiese.htm#seacht<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.visitaranislands.com\/features-of-inis-mor-island-the-aran-islands\/na-seacht-dteampaill-the-seven-churches-2806\">http:\/\/www.visitaranislands.com\/features-of-inis-mor-island-the-aran-islands\/na-seacht-dteampaill-the-seven-churches-2806<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"seven churches - inishmore.jpg\" alt=\"Seven churches  inishmore\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/seven-churches-inishmore.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"seven churches - triangles.jpg\" alt=\"Seven churches  triangles\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/seven-churches-triangles.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"seven churches - two more triangles.jpg\" alt=\"Seven churches  two more triangles\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/seven-churches-two-more-triangles.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"seven churches arch.jpg\" alt=\"Seven churches arch\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/seven-churches-arch1.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After the mini-bus dropped up back at the port, Gina wanted to walk back up the road to check out a trailer she saw.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"craggy island.jpg\" alt=\"Craggy island\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/craggy-island.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Gina had become addicted to a BBC production called <em>Father Ted<\/em>, a silly story about a priest who was exiled to a remote island because of continued idiocy, the series was filmed on Inishmore, and the trailer featured in the film. \u00c2\u00a0Now ain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that exciting?<\/p>\n<p>Some other scenes. \u00c2\u00a0A fine dwelling indeed:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"inishmore yellow building.jpg\" alt=\"Inishmore yellow building\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/inishmore-yellow-building.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The not so lucky Luck Star Bar:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"inishmore lucky star bar.jpg\" alt=\"Inishmore lucky star bar\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/inishmore-lucky-star-bar.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I wonder where this used to lead?<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"inishmore gate to where.jpg\" alt=\"Inishmore gate to where\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/inishmore-gate-to-where.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A Protestant church on a very Catholic island:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"inishmore protestant church.jpg\" alt=\"Inishmore protestant church\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/inishmore-protestant-church.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We returned to the the mainland aboard the Happy Hooker, docking at Doolin. \u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.doolinireland.net\/\">http:\/\/www.doolinireland.net\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"happy hooker.jpg\" alt=\"Happy hooker\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/happy-hooker.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We spent the night in Liscannor at the Cliffs of Moher Hotel, which must not have made much of an impression as I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t remember much of anything about it. \u00c2\u00a0Or I was very tired, which is remotely possible I guess. \u00c2\u00a0We did have a good meal at Vaughan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Anchor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Another day in Ireland, another adventure. \u00c2\u00a0This time we were off to the Aran Islands, via water taxi from the port of Rossaveal. \u00c2\u00a0Once again, we left without Kristinia and Rob. \u00c2\u00a0I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m beginning to see a pattern here, boat ride, &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/?p=873\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-photography","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=873"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":875,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873\/revisions\/875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}