Inishmore


For Inishmore in County Clare, see Inishmore (or Deer) Island.

Coordinates: 53°07′25″N 9°43′39″W / 53.12361°N 9.7275°W / 53.12361; -9.7275

The Aran Islands
East Beach, Inishmore
Kilronan
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Inishmore (Irish: Árainn (Mhór) / Inis Mór) is the largest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay in Ireland and has an area of 12 square miles (31 km2).

Prior to the 20th century, the island was more commonly called Aranmore (Irish: Árainn Mhór) (i.e. "Great Aran") in English; from the traditional Irish name, leading to confusion with Arranmore, County Donegal. The Irish word Árainn means "long ridge" which is an apt description for the island. The name Inishmore was invented by the English Ordnance Survey in the mid 1800s. The new name is grammatically incorrect in Irish: because inis "island" is a feminine noun, a following adjective must be lenited, so the expected name would be Inis Mhór. Árainn is still the official Irish name.

The island is famous for its strong Irish culture, loyalty to the Irish language, and a wealth of Pre-Christian and Christian ancient sites including Dún Aengus, described as "the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe" by George Petrie.[1]

Inis Mór is a major tourist destination. Private minibuses, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the main methods of getting about for the numerous tourists who visit the island in the summer months. There is small museum illustrating the history of Dún Aenghusa and its possible functions. Nearby are a Neolithic tomb and a small heritage park at Dún Eochla, featuring examples of a traditional thatched cottage and an illegal poteen distillery.[2] It is serviced by Aran Direct ferry from Rossaveal and by Aer Arann from Inishmore Aerodrome.

Inishmore was the birthplace of the poet Máirtín Ó Direáin and of the writer Liam O'Flaherty whose childhood there figures in many of his writings. The principal town of Inishmore is Kilronan.

References

  1. ^ "The Best of Ancient Ireland". Frommer's. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/print-narrative.cfm?destID=226&catID=0226020843. Retrieved on 1 March 2009. 
  2. ^ Mario De Carli. "Prehistoric Forts". http://www.emmedici.com/journeys/aran/eforti.htm. Retrieved on 1 March 2009. 

See also







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