Ruin above Doolin, County Clare, with Aran Islands in the distance
Every neighborhood has its local ruins. Some are very old, like the pre-Christian fort we visited on the middle Aran Island, Inish Meain.
Inish Meain, looking toward the city of Galway
When we got off the plane to the Aran Islands, we asked directions to our B&B. The elderly gent at the counter said to walk down the one road leading away, and go "up and up and up" until we reached our place. At the top of the island sat an ancient fort, and across from it was An Dun, our comfy B&B.
The stone walls on Inish Meain are over 5 feet high, and still they are only a short distance apart, so much rock and so little soil. We were standing in a lane admiring this view when a gentleman climbed ladder over his wall, having finished his potato patch weeding. Both parties a bit surprised, but we had an enjoyable chat about the labor of fertilizing fields with seaweed. Can get the stuff in bags, but seaweed is healthier, he said. The islanders are importing coal in gunny sacks, not peat anymore, although they are generating wind power now. Our new friend was raising between 200 and 300 kg of potatoes in his field, along with some onions and cabbages. Just for himself, on his own now, he said. Then he hopped on his moped while we walked back to the village.
