Cliffs 300 feet up? Are We Nuts?

Our very first day in Kilronan on the Aran Island we decided, because it was gorgeous out, to take the 10 Euro minibus tour of the island.  We were glad we did.  

The driver gave us two hours at the Dun Aenghus fortress with spectacular views of the cliffs on the Atlantic side of the island.

Two hours....lots of time...not.  Unknown to us, it is about a 20-30 minute hike up to the fortress.  But we are definitely ready for it.  It was a glorious sunny day in Ireland....

We started with rock climbing to get over the gate.

And then we followed the 'Wall to China' which is what this pathway looks like to me.  Again, tons of rocks everywhere.  Not a tree up here.  We could literally see cows that were high on the cliffs with our naked eye, as there was nothing obstructing them.

The last 500 feet is probably the most difficult.  Very steep, with rocks jutting out and quite slippery when wet.  Look at Little Debbie go.  Out of control.

Deb looking back at the hike we just did.  Awesome views.

This is Dun Aenghus fortress.  It is made entirely of stones and hangs precariously on the edge of a 300 foot high cliff above the Atlantic Ocean.  It is 2000 years old.  

The thickest walls are 13 feet wide.  The highest point is 10 feet high.  

Much of the fortress is here to see, but huge chunks, about 1/4, has fallen into the ocean as the waves erode the cliffs below.

We are very close to the edge...it just ends.  No fences, no wires, no signs, just no land ahead...or below.

Debbie was a wee bit too close for my liking but she did get some amazing shots.

I am way passed my comfort level here for this picture....however, there is no wind today.  Very few people.  Just a quick photo op and I am back in the 'cow patty' land away from this edge.

End of our hike back and Deb still has energy to climb back over the gate.  Not sure why the gate doesn't open?  

A bit of a 'blooper' photo of me....about 20 feet away from the edge of the cliff trying to get a shot.  I slowly made my way a bit closer.  But always safe.

Below....if you can make out the two wee gals who are resting on the ledge above the cliffs?  That is where Deb and I took our photo above with the cliffs behind us.  Looks impressively scary but it really isn't so much when you get to where those gals are.

Awesome experience.