Sights

A MAGICAL LITTLE ISLAND - most people who come to Inis Meain come to see the amazing little world that has survived against all odds. This is not to say that the place is backwards, it is a progressive little community of highly articulate and hospitable. The most amazing feature of the island is its incredible landscape. These people live among a warren of dry-stone walls. These are protected structures and a regular visitor will even be able to recognoise the builder of the wall from its style. On a first viewing the walls seem remarkably similar, but it doesn't take long to realise that there are many variant building styles. The stone is almost exclusively limestone and the island's walls are bautifully clothed in wildflowers that grow from the cracks in the stones. There are also large pavement areas on the north of the island (near the airport). For those interested in Karst lanscape Inis Meain provides one of the best examples in the world. The myriad flowers and plenticul insects show the lack of pollution in the area. Probably the most amazing sight on the island is the winding networks of walls, roads and fields.

DÚN CROCBHUR (Conor's Fort)

THIS IS A MUST SEE Probably the most remarkable antiquity on the island, Dún Crocbhur dominates the skyline of the island's centre and is by far the largest of the ring forts on the Aran Islands. The fort is located in the centre of the island and approcahed by track. People with difficulty walking will not be able to negotiate the stiles in the stone walls. The fort is a national monument and it is forbidden to interfere with the loose stones of its structure, so no souvenir rocks! Little is known of the origins of the fort. It has one entrance and it would seem that it was a refuge from pirates and raiders as it would have been easy to defend. It is a rearkable structure of loose stone placed one on the other to make a wall that is over 3m thick and 5m high. The western face is built on top of a cliff. By the time any raiders had charged up the hill they would have been in no fit state to lay siege but a leisurely approach is recommended these days!

The Fort's origins might be unknown but it is not an exaggeration to state that it's construction is as amazing as the passage graves of the Boyne or any other antiquity in Europe. It is amazing to think how an ancient people could have spend the amount of time to build this impressive structure. The ferrying of the millions of small stones is not remarkable, nor is the fact that they are slotted together in dry-stone, this is not an engineer's project, what is amazing is how such a simple structure remained standing all this time!

DÚN FEARBHUÍ (Ferboy's Fort)

This smaller fort is not as impressive as its big brother and is situated on the cliff facing Inis Oirr to the east of the island. Again its age is unknown and guesses from 700BC to AD500 are common. The gate is on the north of the structure but access is from the south. With the changes in topography you can climb into the fort from the south side with ease as you cannot approach the original entrance without considerable difficulty.

LEABA CHINNDERIG - Saint Kenderrig's grave

situated behind the priest's house in the middle of the island this grave dates back to the 7th century at least. Reported to be the resting place of a Leinster Princess the locals hold an annual mini-pilgrimage on the 15th of August to the grave and Saint Kenderig's Well in the adjoining field. Access is through the priest's garden and visitors should not be shy of passing through.

TEAMPALL AN SEACHT MAC RÍ - the Temple of the Seven Princes

Accessis through the priest's garden again and this little church is situated directly beside Saint Kenderig's Grave. The remains are unremarkable, all that stands is a rectangular wall structure with a doorway and one window. The monument is badly maintained and quite overgrown, as a result visitors rarely bother and leave the area after seeing Saint Kenderig's grave without regard to the old church.