Hello. I will be spending 2 and 1/2 months in Ireland starting May 1. I will be spending more time than might be usual in each place I am going as I like to keep the travelling time to a minimum. I will be spending a lot of my time on all 3 of the Aran Islands and would like some suggestions for activities, walks, sights, etc. Thanks a lot.

Try the following:<BR>http://www.failte-ireland.com/aran.htm<BR>http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mfarrell1/<BR>http://www.aran-islands.com/

Erin, that's terrific! I spent a night on the biggest island, Inishmore, some years ago. My friend and I hiked out to Dun Aengus fort. In my guidebook it says that Dun Aengus is only four miles out, but it seemed awfully long to us and we were getting tired when we started to head back to town, so my advice would be to rent a bike. We got lucky and hitched a ride on the back of a tractor, but no one else would give us a lift, so don't count on being able to hitch it. Have a wonderful time!

Erin, You need to be a bit flexible about this. It can be pretty bleak on the Aran Is. if it's raining. I hope you'll have some alternative plans on the mainland, but also hope you get a couple days of bright and mostly sunny. Dun Angus is the main attraction. Don't know if there's enough to keep me busy there for 2 1/2 days, but if you love to talk with the peole, perhaps there is. I do envy you your long trip to Ireland. Enjoy.

If you happen to be in the Aran Islands toward the end of June look for the bonfires that mark to spring solstice. In Christian tradition this is called the feast of St. John. On St Johns eve large bonfires are set at various points along the coast, visible for miles. The whole town turns out and it is quite a scene. I have seen this in Inishmore and on another trip in Donegal. Not to mention fireworks in Paris for La fete de St. Jean. This is usually around June 22-24 depending on the year.