Inishmore and Cliffs of Moher, west coast of Ireland
Anchored off the largest of the famous Aran Islands in Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland we made our way early this morning to the small pier at Kilronan on Inishmore. This is one of three islands all of which consist totally of Carboniferous limestone, laid down as calcium rich sediments on a seabed some 340 million years ago. Fossil molluscs and corals abound. Our main focus was a visit to the prehistoric stone fort called Dun Aengus where archaeological excavations in the 1990s uncovered evidence for occupation spanning two and a half thousand years. Local guide-drivers took us by mini bus to the site’s visitor centre from where we hiked up to the fort, which is located atop a precipitous 300 foot cliff above the pounding waves of the Atlantic. A designated National Monument, it is a large semi-circular stone walled structure which covers an area of some 14 acres. An outer defensive perimeter of thousands of sharp edged pillars of limestone jutting up in a haphazard pattern was put in place by its inhabitants to impede any surprise enemy attack. Staff and on-site guides interpreted this complex site. This was a photographer’s paradise with commanding island and sea vistas. A couple of peregrine falcons were spotted. This rare bird of prey frequents the inaccessible cliff ledges and is Irelands largest falcon.
Inishmore is a karst landscape composed of extensive tracts of exposed limestone pavement featuring characteristic clints and grikes. The latter consist of funnel shaped fissures which were formed by solution of hairline cracks in the rock by rainwater. These are an important habitat for a wide range of plant species including bloody cranesbill, hart’s tongue fern, and whitethorn. The area is transformed into a veritable rock garden from May through to August and is a mecca for botanists.
The Aran Islands are famed for their sweaters, and local shops along the picturesque quayside had numerous examples on display for sale. The afternoon was spent cruising along the base of the Cliffs of Moher on the mainland in Co. Clare. They consist of alternating layers of shales and sandstone which rise to 600 feet above the Atlantic breakers whose erosive powers are everywhere evident in the numerous textbook examples of caves, arches, and stacks. The cliffs are one of the most important seabird colonies in Europe where tens of thousands of Atlantic puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and gannets breed, feeding in the adjacent rich waters. To cap the day, Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland, delivered an engaging, thought-provoking talk which detailed some of the humanitarian projects she is closely involved with.
