Galway & The Aran Islands

So we planned our first trip, successfully too! My eight friends and I planned a three way trip to Galway City (Ireland's third largest city and on the West Coast) and to the Aran Islands which are a short bus ride, and a rocky ferry away from Galway City.

The hostel we stayed in was lovely, the trip went smoothly, and we had a fabulous time. Galway was fun, but a bit of a party city and a bit too touristy for us - essentially, we missed Cork - the best city in Ireland. However, they did have the original Claddaugh ring store, so I got myself my birthday present, and got an original Claddaugh ring. I love it and don't take it off.

The Aran Islands. What can I say? Literally, the most beautiful place I've ever been to. 800 people live on the islands, and everyone speaks Irish. When we got to Inish Mor, the major island, we were all in awe. It's breathtaking and I felt like I was in the shire. You can either rent bikes or take a bus to explore the island, but we ran into Tom - our Irish savior. Tom offered to give us a horse and carriage ride around the island for the same price as renting a bike. DONE DEAL. So Tom and our horse, W.B. Yeates (they love him here) took us around the island. It was something out of a fairy tale. Riding around the shire in a freaking horse and carriage with the cutest old man driver in the world. The island is just covered in rocky coasts, beaches, hills, and a few scattered old thatched houses. Horses and cows just roam on the road naturally or hang out on the sides of the dirt paths. They come right up to you. It's amazing. Tom took us all over, showed us his neighbors houses, took us on scenic routes, and then took us up to the start of the hiking trail of Don Aengus, an old fort. The hike up was breathtaking and we all stopped a thousand times for pictures, but when we got to the top - oh man. You completely forget about the fort, because of the scenery you encounter. Standing on these cliffs (325 feet high), is breathtaking. I sat on the edge and conquered my fear, with the help of my friends, and just sat on the edge of the world, in awe. I can't even describe how it felt to be on those cliffs. We were all in the most fantastic mood walking back down to Tom. We stopped at the Aran Sweater market on the way back, got some christmas presents for our family and friends, stopped and had some soup/sandwiches and a Guinness before taking the ferry ride home. 

Quintessential Irish House on the Aran Islands

Good 'ol W.B. and our sweet ride.

Horses just hanging out on the side of the path

The hike to the top of Don Aengus

Cow, hanging out as well.

Katie, John, Sean, and I sitting on the edge of the cliffs!

The Cliffs! 350 feet high.

Me! On the edge of the world. or what felt like it.



Beautiful. Quintessential. Amazing.

Plus, the trip went smoothly! Yay us!