Aran Islands

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Group of three limestone islands in the mouth of Galway Bay, which is about 32 km/20 mi wide. They lie 48 km/30 mi from Galway, on the west coast of the Republic of Ireland; the principal town is Kilronan on Inishmore. The islands form a natural breakwater, and comprise Inishmore (Irish Inis Mór), area 3,092 ha/7,637 acres; Inishmaan (Irish Inis Meáin), area 912 ha/2,253 acres; and Inisheer (Irish Inis Óirr), area 567 ha/1,400 acres; population (2002) 5,050. The chief industries are tourism, fishing, and agriculture.

The earliest architectural remains on the islands may date back to the late Bronze Age (c. 700 BC). There are ruins of a number of early churches, of which Teaghlach Einne, ‘the house of St Enda’, near Killeany on Inishmore, was the most important religious centre on the islands. The ruins are now largely submerged under sand. The islands are also noted for a number of well-preserved early fortifications, of which the largest is Dún Aengus on Inishmore, a semicircular stone fort on the cliff top, possibly dating from the Bronze Age.

There is another island named Aran, situated off the county of Donegal, Northern Ireland, but it is usually called Aranmore to avoid confusion.

A condor, poised to attack enemies, protects the nation under its wings. Blue symbolizes independence from Spain. Yellow recalls the Federation of Greater Colombia. Red stands for courage. Effective date: 7 November 1900. >>