Life With the Flock On Aran Islands

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 12

Life With the Flock On Aran Islands

visit to the Aran Islands oil tho west coast of Ireland is like stepping back a generation und entering an enchanted laud where tho people dress in tho fashion of a century ago and still believe in fairies, states an exchange. There aro three islunds in tho group— Inishmorc, tho largest, roughly nine miles long and one und three-quarter miles wide, with a population of nearly two thousand people; Inishmaan (Middle Island), and Inishccr (South Island), each with live hundred inhabitants. Wildly beautiful and unspoiled by modern civilisation, yet they are easily accessible as a holiday resort. These fairy isles of the west cuter foi all types of holiday maker, the arehao ologist, tho botanist, tho fisherman and tho ordinary tourist. They possess a wealth of antiquities which include the ruins of numerous early churches the remains of massive stone forts thousands of ycals old, and an almost perfect “beehive" hut built of stones, a very ancient relic of remote times. Many and various rock plants grow in tho limestone fissures. fluperntitlons. The natives ore kind and friendly, although. tho majority of them can speak only in tho Gaelic tongue. They cling to the old manners and customs of bygone days, wearing homespun woollen garments, and on their feet pampooties —rough cowhide shoes tied round with string—similar to those worn by their ancestors a thousand years ago. They sail the seas in currachs, primitive flat- > boats inude of tarred canvas over a

light wooden frame, rowed with almost bladelcss oars. On Inishmann tho small boys are dressed like little girls. Tho whole year round they wear thick woollen frocks reaching to the ankles, and cotton pinafores. Tho islanders have an important roason for clothing their sons in female attire, for they do it to fool tho fairies. According t d tradition, pixies and leprechauns steal littlo boys, so the youngsters pretend they aro girls until they aro too big to bo carried off by thieving sprites. Tho natives arc shy to speak, of their fears and superstitions. Hither they are afraid people will laugh at them or that tho fairies will hoar and punish, but when they can bo persuaded to talk many aro tlie old folk talcs and quaint creepy stories they will tell. Thoro uro no motor cars or trains to disturb the quiet peace. If you will not walk you must go in a jaunting cur, on a bicycle, or ou tho back of a horse or donkey. But even on tho Aran Islands you are not cut oil! completely from all modern culture. There is a resident doctor on Inishmoro and a telegraph office connected with tlie mainland. The climate is warm and healthy. There are practically no trees, and in spite of th# wild rocky coast thoro aro good bathing facilities.