--- title: Fairytale Landscapes and Bronze Age Edifices on the Aran Islands of Ireland description: This week in our travel series, we're taking to the winding roads, charming villages, and archaeological sites of Ireland's Aran Islands. image: https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hubfs/aran.jpg --- [** ](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/fairytale-landscapes-and-bronze-age-edifices-on-the-aran-islands-of-ireland#) [![black_Lotuff_logo.jpg](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/4994/t/13/assets/logo.svg?10524817447150324571 "black_Lotuff_logo.jpg")](http://lotuffleather.com) ## Travel Guide:   Fairytale Landscapes and Bronze Age Edifices on the Aran Islands of Ireland By **Caitlin Shanley** on May 30, 2018   •   Topic: [Travel Guide](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/travel-guide) --- - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Kilronan Village cottage on the Aran Islands of Ireland ](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran.jpg?width=1111&name=aran.jpg "Kilronan Village cottage on the Aran Islands of Ireland ") Just off the coast of Galway and Doolin, the Aran Islands make the perfect day trip. These three little islands are shrouded in heritage and spirituality. A quick ferry from one of the nearby costal towns transports you to another time. The landscape hangs in a balance somewhere between a magical fairytale and a barren post-apocalyptic wasteland–depends on what kind of day you’re having. But either way, it is truly awesome.   ![Kilronan Village on the Aran Islands of Ireland](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran2.jpg?width=1111&name=aran2.jpg "Kilronan Village on the Aran Islands of Ireland") Upon docking, you experience [Kilronan Village](http://aranislands.ie/kilronan-village), a tiny collection of shops, restaurants, and homes. Just a few steps from the ferry are rental services for bicycles, bus tours, and pony & traps. You cannot go wrong no matter what you choose, but there’s something special about biking at your own pace and getting to stop to soak in the view whenever you please.     ![Biking by the sea on the Aran Islands of Ireland](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran9.jpg?width=1111&name=aran9.jpg "Biking by the sea on the Aran Islands of Ireland") The islands themselves are overflowing with history. Inis Mór is the largest island at just 7,635 acres. It has several ancient churches, forts, and natural monuments that make it unique, and just over 1,000 inhabitants who pepper the rocky island with houses. As soon as you set of on your journey, you’re greeted by winding roads and pensive horses at every turn. From atop the hills the island looks like a haphazard tapestry; each misshapen field is stitched together by a thread of meandering stone walls.     ![Horse on the roadside of Ireland's Aran Islands ](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran4.jpg?width=1111&name=aran4.jpg "Horse on the roadside of Ireland's Aran Islands ")![Horse on the roadside of Ireland's Aran Islands ](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran3.jpg?width=1111&name=aran3.jpg "Horse on the roadside of Ireland's Aran Islands ") A popular destination on Inis Mór is [Dun Aonghasa](http://aranislands.ie/dun-aonghasa-2). Believed to date back to the Bronze Age, it is a formidable prehistoric fort at the edge of a 100-meter high cliff. It’s an important archeological site that also offers a spectacular view. On the other side of the island is the enchanting [Na Seacht dTeampaill](http://aranislands.ie/na-seacht-dteampaill-the-seven-churches) (The Seven Churches). Despite its name, the site actually consists of two churches founded in the 8th century. Run your fingertips along the massive moss covered stone crosses and you’ll feel the centuries of monastic tradition.     ![Na Seacht dTeampaill, or "The Seven Churches", on the Irish islan of Inis Mór](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran6.jpg?width=1111&name=aran6.jpg "Na Seacht dTeampaill, or \"The Seven Churches\", on the Irish islan of Inis Mór")![Na Seacht dTeampaill, or "The Seven Churches", on the Irish islan of Inis Mór](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran5.jpg?width=1111&name=aran5.jpg "Na Seacht dTeampaill, or \"The Seven Churches\", on the Irish islan of Inis Mór") Biking the island is invigorating and fun, and you’re sure to work up an appetite. Fortunately, just when you feel your legs beginning to get heavy from pedaling, a cluster of cottages appears. This is the ideal spot to purchase a genuine handmade Aran Island sweater. Duck into an open door, and jovial old women knitting away will greet you.    ![Dinner at Teach Nan Phaidi on Ireland's Aran Islands](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran7.jpg?width=1111&name=aran7.jpg "Dinner at Teach Nan Phaidi on Ireland's Aran Islands") One of those charming cottages is known as [Teach Nan Phaidi](https://www.facebook.com/Teach-Nan-Phaidi-1512582515716569/), and it’s the perfect place to grab a bite. It provides the most authentic and cozy experience you could hope for, with homemade food and communal tables. The beef and Guinness stew is out-of-this-world! The local hospitality, jubilant atmosphere, and delectable offerings make Teach Nan not to be missed.      ![Worm Hole natural pool on the Irish island of Inis Mór](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aran8.jpg?width=1111&name=aran8.jpg "Worm Hole natural pool on the Irish island of Inis Mór") The most unbelievable feature of Inis Mór, despite stiff competition, is the rock formation known as the [Worm Hole](http://aranislands.ie/the-worm-hole). It’s a naturally rectangular pool on the south side of the island, and it almost looks as though a hot knife perfectly sliced through the rock to expose the briny sea underneath. It was actually used as the location for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2014!  There is no wrong way to explore the island–but be careful! Time has a funny way of disappearing here, so make sure you keep an eye on your watch. You’ll be sure to nod off on the ferry after a long day of adventuring, and when you wake up back on mainland Ireland, you may wonder if your experience on the Aran Islands was anything more than just an eerie, beautiful dream.   Bring along our Leather Day Tote—its classic, distunguished silhouette will mesh perfectly with the quiet beauty of these stony islands.  ![Lotuff Leather Day Tote in green](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/daytt.jpg?width=1111&name=daytt.jpg "Lotuff Leather Day Tote in green") [Shop the Day Tote](https://lotuffleather.com/collections/duffles/products/leather-day-tote)   ## **Eat Here**  **teach Nan Phaidi **Kilmurvey, Inis Mor, Galway Co., Ireland [facebook.com/Teach-Nan-Phaidi](https://www.facebook.com/Teach-Nan-Phaidi-1512582515716569/)     ## **Go Here** **Kilronan Village **Kilronan, Killeany, Galway Co., Ireland [aranislands.ie/kilronan-village](http://aranislands.ie/kilronan-village)       **Dun Aonghasa **Kilmurvey, Galway Co., Ireland [aranislands.ie/dun-aonghasa-2](http://aranislands.ie/dun-aonghasa-2)     **Na Seacht dTeampaill** Kilmurvey, Galway Co., Ireland [aranislands.ie/na-seacht-dteampaill-the-seven-churches](http://aranislands.ie/na-seacht-dteampaill-the-seven-churches)       **Worm Hole** Kilmurvy, Inishmore, Galway Co., Ireland [aranislands.ie/the-worm-hole](http://aranislands.ie/the-worm-hole)     ## **Stay Here** **Clochán na Carraige Glamping **Kilronan, Killeany, Galway Co., Ireland [airbnb.com/rooms/17535191](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17535191?location=Aran%20Islands%2C%20Galway%2C%20Ireland) ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Leave a Comment ### Posts by Topic - 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