Another early start to catch the 9 am ferry from Doolin to Inis Mor. The sea around Doolin was quite rough, but settled down once out of the bay.
On arrival we went to collect our ebikes (different style again), and set off to follow a route found on Komoot. The road hugged the coast passing the Seal Colony and some people collecting seaweed. The terrain was made up of distinct flat rocks, a bit like a large cobbled effect.
Our first stop was to see the Seven Churches. These were all ruins on the same site with numerous gravestones.
Komoot then directed us along a rough track, where we stopped to admire a goat with her two tiny kids. Eventually we met up with the road leading to the lighthouse slipway.
Our next destination was Dun Aonghasa, the oldest stone fort in West Europe. It was quite a long, steep climb on a rocky path. At the top was a cliff with a sheer drop, no barriers, no warning signs and people sitting dangling their legs over the edge!! There wasn’t much to see of the fort at this level, but it earned us 50 i-SPY points.
We continued on the Komoot route to discover that this road also turned into a very rough track, before reaching tarmac again. The road to nowhere?!
Eventually we found ourselves back at the port, returned the bikes (after 18 miles). We then went in search of Aran knitwear. This was a bit disappointing as it was all rather commercialised, and expensive. We decided it would be something you buy on holiday but never wear, so came away with purse intact.
Our visit to the Aran Islands was an experience we’ll remember for a long time.