Aran Island

Today we head off to Aran Island for the day to explore at our own pace. 8:30 to the bus for a 10:30 cruise over to the island. Arriving around lunch time, there was allot to see and I decided to rent a bike to work off a few beers.

A small group of us headed towards the black fort for a look. Totally missing the turn off, not realising until we get to the end of the island. A second attempt and we found the right road, a steep rock rock, which made bike riding not to enjoyable.

Get to the end of the road, I am ready for a beer so I pulled out a cold hieniken I picked up a little earlier. A 15 minute walk got us to the fort, an impressive cliff side ruin on the southern side of the island. The huge cliffs were went inward and would certainly cause a mess if the edge was to give way. Walking back to the bikes turned out to be a task, Andrew and myself got lost, wandering aimlessly for at least half an hour, we head back and was luck to get saved by a couple of girls on our tour.

I rush off because it is 2pm and I have only 2 and half hours to see allot more. Straight to a Oun Araan lighthouse and signal tower which was about 4 km's away, with a quick divert to change my bike with a ridiculously hard plastic seat. I made quick time of it and got to see the impressive views

Quickly onto the next fort which is the highlight of the island, I arrive with about 30 minutes to check it out. Oum Aonghasa still had its walls in a very good condition. A few pictures and a look over another cliff left me ready to get back around a 6 km ride.

Back onto the cruise at 5pm, a 8pm dinner and a balcony party all planned for the night. Everyone was pretty tired so it ended with Shaun, Aaron and myself sharing a little keg and having a quiet one.