Ireland Travel Blog: Aran Islands and County Longford

Considering how much I love to travel, it’s surprising how long it took me to finally visit Ireland. Needless to say, I understand why it’s such a popular destination. The history, natural beauty, and culture are incredible. I did, however, have a personal reason to visit. My paternal grandmother was born and raised in County Longford. I’m even an Irish citizen by descent! But I had never stepped foot on the island until this year. While this was my first time in Ireland, it absolutely will not be the last.

Before I went to visit my family in Longford, I had to do a little sightseeing. My favorite place by far was Inismor, one of the Aran Islands. I took a day trip from Galway, but I only wish I had stayed there longer. 

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Ponies on Inismor, Aran Islands

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Gaelic crosses in the cemetery on Inismor

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Inismor roads

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Old stone and ivy

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Historic Church. I got a little lost biking around so I can’t say for sure which building this is!

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Fields of green bordered by stone walls

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

A historic church

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

A cow grazing in its pasture by the water

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Turquoise beach on the Aran Islands

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

A dog living the good life by the beach

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

The view from the ancient fort on Inismor

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Part of the ancient stone walls that make up the fort

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Incredible cliffs on Inismore

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

Inismor cliffs

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

More cliffs!

Inismor Aran Islands Ireland Travel Photography Inishmore

More views!

The ferry passed by the Cliffs of Moher on the return trip from Kilronan to Galway. It was so interesting to see such a famous landmark from a different angle.

The Cliffs of Moher Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher as seen from the sea

The Cliffs of Moher Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher as seen from the sea

The Cliffs of Moher Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher as seen from the sea

The Cliffs of Moher Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher as seen from the sea

From Galway, I drove about two hours to County Longford to finally see Drumlish.

Twenty years after Irish independence, my grandma was born on a farm in a small village in the middle of Ireland. She was the oldest of five siblings and the only girl. They grew up in what seems like another world to me now. There was no electricity in the village until the 60s. They lived a simple life connected to the land. But like many young Irish people, my grandma left. She took a boat to New York and started a new life in America. Today, the farm is still in our family and two of my great uncles live in the village along with a big extended family. While the farmhouse has been modernized and they no longer bring the mama pigs into the living room to give birth, many things haven’t changed. It was so special to come here and see where we come from, and where we’re going.

The local mill

A cottage preserved in its traditional style

Fields and fields

The barn on my family’s original farm

Part of my family’s original farm

My ancestors’ graves in the local cemetery

Kids play gaelic football

A rainbow over the gaelic sports fields

One of my uncle’s cows

A gate on the original homestead

A tree on the farm that has seen many generations

My uncle in front of the original farmhouse where he still lives and where my grandma was born

More cows!

A cat on the farm

The fields at sunset

Green rolling hills at sunset on the farm

My aunt and Uncle are local celebrities because of their amazing garden. Each year, they host a garden party to raise money for hospice care. I was lucky enough to be there for the party!

My aunt and uncle at their garden party

Growing potatoes in the greenhouse

No Irish garden party is complete without bread, jam, and tea

Using Format