Student Bloggers

In my month and a half spent in Ireland’s capital, I have found no greater joy than embracing the Irish outdoors. While I consider myself a semi-frequent hiker back in the states, I came to the country blissfully unaware of the outdoor opportunities across the island.

The most notable of these excursions was my visit to the Aran Islands, where we saw the infamous Irish Cliffs. When you first enter the island you can either walk, rent a bike, ride in a horse and carriage or hop on a minibus tour. My group decided on the minibus tour out of convenience, but I am sure any option would have been enjoyable. 

After a short ride, we made it to the entrance to the fort, where we had to walk a 10-minute path to the Cliff outlook. Although Hollywood would say the Cliffs of Mohr are the must-see attraction, I believe the real gem to be the Cliffs Inis More. Beyond the idyllic sights, there is no fence along the border, so there is a real thrill when walking along the edge. In other words, be careful not to get too close.

If you are lucky enough to run into a tour at the top, you might be able to learn a few things. From what we happened to overhear, the fort was placed along the cliff to prevent other tribes from attacking along the sea. However, such an open border left the group exposed to the elements, specifically the wind. To try and offset the harsh weather, they built their huts very close together to preserve heat. 

Once we finished at the fort, our minibus driver, who has spent his whole life on the island, took us along the western edge and filled our heads with various island-facts. According to him, there are very few sheep left on the island, even though Aran wool and sweaters are what the island is known for around the world. I thought this was wild! Instead, most sweaters are made elsewhere and imported to sell to tourists. So, keep that in mind if you are in the market for a sweater during your visit. Needless to say, I did not buy one whilst I was there…

Then, we continued our tour throughout the island, stopping every so often to explore a part of the landscape. While at the seven churches graveyard, we ran into the cutest donkey I ever saw! She was friendly and willing to pose; I think she gets lots of visitors. Honestly, she was probably my favorite part of the entire day. 

Near the end of the ride, we saw some seals along the edge of the island. I had never seen these animals in the wild, so I was overjoyed at the sight! Concluding at the ferry dock, I would say the experience was a complete success.

One tip for anyone who wants to visit: though I have lived in Michigan my whole life, nothing could have prepared me for the chilly and fickle Irish weather. So, if you are planning on spending any time outside, I recommend dressing in layers, wearing waterproof shoes and having an umbrella on hand. 

With that, I hope you will learn to love the country the way I have: quickly and without hesitation.