Aran Islands (WOD)

The Aran Islands are an archipelago on the western shore of Ireland.

Overview

The Aran Islands form a rocky buffer that stretches across Galway Bay. Formed of carboniferous limestone, these stony islands have almost no natural soil to speak of, yet they support a population of about 14,000 inhabitants who manage to wrest a living from their unyielding surroundings. The people of Aran are Gaelic-speakers, proud of their heritage, and determined in their conviction to preserve a way of life that is fast disappearing from the rest of Ireland. Although the tourist industry has brought a measure of prosperity to the islanders, fishing remains an important part of the islands' fragile economy. Once accessible only by boat, a small airport on each of the three principle islands now connects Aran to the outside world.

The Islands

References

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