Inishmore Aran Islands County Galway Republic of Ireland (Part 2)

The Church of St Brenan and views down to Killeany

On Sunday 8^th June we had a less active morning to recover from Saturday’s extravaganza but after lunch we took the dinghy to Killeany harbour and went from there, on foot, to two sights we had missed the previous day. The first was the Church of St Brenan, the smallest church in Ireland at just 15ft x 10ft, not that it has a roof or, I suspect, is still consecrated. Like the forts, it is up on some high ground in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by limestone pavement and a network of drystone walls. From the high ground we got more lovely views – once the rain clouds had passed by!

The cliffs below the Black Fort

Then we retraced our steps and continued north and then west back to the cliffs of the southwest coast, where we (eventually) found the Black Fort.

The Black Fort

This fort is a similar age to Dun Aengus but somewhat smaller, though located in a very similar setting, right on the cliff edge. Being smaller and more difficult to reach, fewer people visit, though it is certainly worth the effort. It’s another place that I really can’t imagine living, though clearly people did.

The old castle at Killeany harbour

Back on Blue Velvet, after another 8km / 6miles walked, we enjoyed sundowners and planned Monday’s passage to Glaway, though we had yet to confirm whether or not there would be space in the marina. That would be a question for the morning when the office reopened for the new working week.

Inishmore, Aran Islands, County Galway, Republic of Ireland