History of the Aran Islands

The earliest ring forts on the island date from the Iron Age (c. 400 BC-500 AD) or even possibly from the Late Bronze Age (c. 700 BC). The limestone pavement and rock formations are incredible. Walking around the island you can imagine the lives of the early inhabitants. Hand built rock walls divide up almost every parcel of land. The tremendous cliffs run the entire length of the island. Farmers continue to bring seaweed up from the beach to lay on the ground to use as compost on the rocky soil. Cows, sheep, chickens and a few people and their dogs are the only things we saw when we hiked around the island. The permanent residents have cars, but mostly people walk, ride bikes, or take pony carts.