The Aran Islands and the largest is InishMore

 Travel day and we are excited.  We are travelling to the 'Wool' mecca for knitters, the Aran Islands.  An one hour bus ride to Rossaveel,  followed by a 45 minute ferry ride to the town of Kilronan, on the Isle of Inishmore.  Just 9 short kilometres from the mainland of Ireland.

Heres our ferry.  The weather is gorgeous...I am excited.

These are dotted on the island coast.  They are Cross monuments to fisherman.  Built to help fisherman recognize the island and also to those lost at sea.

The population of this island is about 800.  Many are involved in the tourist industry.  Restaurants.  Cafes.  Minibus tours.  Bike rentals.

Some still fish for a living.  

The world famous Aran Sweater Market.  Thousands of styles of traditional Aran knitted sweaters to chose from.  And yes...we both purchased beautiful sweaters to wear this Spring and Fall at the trailer back home.

Don't worry...I bought MORE yarn...yet again.

The language on this island is Gaelic.  Children actually do their schooling all in Gaelic taking English as a course.  All signs are in Gaelic, the official and historic language of Ireland.

I'm sure you don't need to know Gaelic to understand these signs.

Everyone speaks English to the tourists, and Gaelic in their homes and amongst themselves.

A traditional thatched roof cottage.  Our guide explained that the new thatched roofs have to be replaced every two years.

Rocks...rocks...and more rocks.

This is hard to explain how much rock is here.  There is only about 4-5 inches of soil on top of limestone, like the Burren area on mainland Ireland.  To build their homes and work some kind of farming they had to move all the rocks by hand.  The entire island is a criss cross of stone walls.

The Seven Churches dates from the 8th-11th centuries.  It is a gathering of ruin chapels on the western tip of the island.  Found in this ancient burial area are the "Seven Romans" whom were students sent to be educated here on the island in the 9th century.

A wee Leprechaun home built next to the family home.  About the size of a doghouse they are scattered around the island......thus I am on a hunt for my own sweet Leprechaun.