The Aran Islands, County Galway

Upturned currachs on the Aran Islands - photo credit Susan Byron

The Aran Islands, despite being the most popular and most visited islands off the coast of Galway are still very special, being pocket-sized versions of the mainland and the world-famous karst limestone region known as the Burren. Inis Oír and Inis Meain in particular, are good indicators of how life used to be in Ireland, not so very long ago, whether you were a fisherman, farmer or shepherd or all three thrown in together for good measure, dictated by necessity at the time. So, if you get a chance at all, you should definitely take a trip out to either Inis Mór (the big island) Inis Meain (the middle island) or Inis Oír (the eastern island). Inis Mór is where it’s all happening with the precarious, cliff side, stone fort of Dún Aengus which is a huge draw. Unfortunately, it is also where the world and his mother goes every July and August also,  so do yourself a HUGE favour and choose one of the smaller islands, preferably Inis Meain (my favourite) which are just as lovely, perhaps even more so when you consider that you will most likely have it to yourself ! Born of a long tradition of fishing and farming these once isolated island communities were self-sufficient and pretty much oblivious to life on the mainland, some say they still are! Legend has it that World War 2 pretty much passed them by altogether, even today they don’t pay too much attention to what is going on in Dublin, never mind the rest of the world! The Irish language is alive and well out there, as is traditional Irish music and crafts like knitting and basket making and you will not get closer to nature than on any of the Aran Islands. And yet, we have to credit modern-day technology like broadband for leading a revival and return to many of Ireland’s islands that suffered a such a huge exodus in the past.

There is a daily service a during the summer, to each of the three Aran Islands from either Rossaveal or Doolin Harbour which begins around about St Patrick’s Day, or Easter at the latest and runs until the end of October, if possible. Sailing times differ slightly depending on the weather and the tides of course, so always check directly just in case! Extracted for the Treasure Ireland series of Irish Travel Guides written by Susan Byron author of the independent travel website www.irelands-hidden-gems.com

Bought shamrock? Is it the real thing?

Visit our special St. Patrick's Day section

Read more: Michelle Obama wants to grow shamrock at the White House

As children we often gathered more clover than shamrock to wear in the run up to St Patricks Day as it’s almost impossible to tell the difference. And to be honest nobody seemed to care very much back then anyway, you simply washed the mud off the roots and pinned a bunch to your hat or lapel with a safety pin and off you went. Nowadays you can buy handy packets of commercially grown fresh shamrock at supermarket checkouts. But is it the real thing?

Seedsavers, an organisation set up 14 years ago in Ireland, to save the seed of indigenous varieties of apples and potatoes before they became extinct reckon they have ‘real’ shamrock. Thanks to the benevolence of an American who sent them the seed of an old shamrock plant that had been smuggled from Ireland some 99 years previously. It was replanted, harvested and is now happily and (safely for generations to come) growing like a weed at their headquarters in Mountshannon.

And what about the shamrock that is presented to The Whitehouse on behalf of the people of Ireland? Who grows that and where does the seed come from? Is it the real thing? Peter Martin of Living Shamrock.com assures me that it is, the seed having been verified by botanists in UCD. He explained to me how it is grown roots and all, in a specially patented (soil and water free) gel substance to keep it fresh for longer and handier to export. Which means that it arrives ‘live’ and ready to wear on St Patricks Day at Irish Embassies, Army Camps and other special Irish parades and events all around the world.

So herself (the first lady) can simply pop her shamrock into the ground afterwards and let its Irish roots dig happily into American soil. Beannachti na Feile Padraig by Susan Byron.

For information about St Patricks Day visit www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/st-patricks.html where you can also download a free iPhone app about St Patricks Day and all the events that are happening in Ireland.

Visit our special St. Patrick's Day section

Read more: Michelle Obama wants to grow shamrock at the White House

The truth about fairies and leprechauns just in time for St. Patrick's Day

Click here to visit our special St. Patrick's Day section

The truth? There is no such thing as leprechauns in Ireland so apologies to any would be believers in magical crocks of gold. The whole leprechaun thing was more of a Disney invention that came along with the likes of bad ‘oirish’ accents in films such as ‘Darby O’Gill and the Little People’.....

But fairies....they do exist, Oh yes and here in Ireland we do not mess with the fairies, ever! They are known to live in very special places called fairy rings, which are raised earthen circular mounds that you will see all over Ireland.

You are welcome to visit them, walk around them, make a wish by all means .... But it is thought to be very bad luck to interfere with these mounds. Driving motorways through them, Bad Very Bad....Certain trees are revered too, especially hawthorns which country people will never chop down or remove for fear of disturbing the fairies who often live underneath and who are likely to wreak havoc if disturbed? ie, sour milk, cause crops to fail, animals to sicken and die.....

So don’t say ye haven’t been warned !

No one knows more about fairies in Ireland then Eddie Lenihan a gifted story teller or Seanchai who lives in Clare, you has collected his stories from all over Ireland. This is one of his best....





If you ever get a chance to listen to one of his sessions, dont miss it you will be in for a treat. Or indeed if you are hauled up on a high stool in a pub somewhere, someday, it wont be long before a good story telling session will start?


For more about how St Patricks Day is celebrated in Ireland visit www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/st-patrick.html


Or download the free iPhone app http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/st-patricks-day/id359998636?mt=8


Author Susan Byron of http://www.irelands-hidden-gems.com/

Click here to visit our special St. Patrick's Day section