Its past lingers like an Aran Islands mist
Ancient history, modern conveniences
Archaeologist Michael Gibbons has spent years exploring the legends and lore of Inishmore. Leading a trek to Inishmore's main attraction, the prehistoric fort Dun Aengus, he pointed out some of the hidden clues to the island's monastic history -- a 10th century church and a Christian cross on an ancient pagan site.
Dun Aengus stands at the top of a steep hill, halfway up the island's southern shore and about a 30-minute strenuous hike up a stone-laden trail. But the hike is worth it: the fort is perched on a cliff edge, 270 feet above the sea, three semi-circular stone walls of unknown origin.
"Dun Aengus -- Dun is the Irish word for a fortress," Gibbons explains. "Aengus was a mythological king-type figure and this was his fortress. ... Ireland maybe had 100 different kingdoms being controlled from great forts like this."
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