Inishmore

For other uses, see Inishmore (disambiguation).

The Aran Islands

East Beach, Inishmore

Kilronan

Inishmore (Irish: Árainn (Mhór) / Inis Mór) is the largest of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay in Ireland and has an area of 31 square kilometres (12 sq mi).

History

Prior to the 20th century, the island was more commonly called Aranmore, or as Árainn na Naomh (Irish: Árainn Mhór) (i.e. "Great Aran") in English; from the traditional Irish name, leading to confusion with Arranmore, County Donegal. The Irish word Árainn means "long ridge" which is an apt description for the island. The name Inishmore was invented by the British Ordnance Survey in the mid-19th century. The new name is grammatically incorrect in Irish: because [inis] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) "island" is a feminine noun, a following adjective must be lenited, so the expected name would be [Inis Mhór] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help). Árainn is still the official Irish name.

The island is famous for its strong Irish culture, loyalty to the Irish language, and a wealth of Pre-Christian and Christian ancient sites including Dún Aengus, described as "the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe" by George Petrie.

Inis Mór is a major tourist destination, with Bed & Breakfast accommodation scattered across the island. Private minibuses, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the main methods of getting about for the numerous tourists who visit the island in the summer months, the majority of which are the Irish themselves- but with an extraordinary amount of British, French and German holiday makers. There is a small museum illustrating the history of Dún Aenghusa and its possible functions. Nearby are a Neolithic tomb and a small heritage park at Dún Eochla, featuring examples of a traditional thatched cottage and an illegal poteen distillery. It is serviced by Aran Direct ferry from Rossaveal and by Aer Arann from Inishmore Aerodrome.

Notable inhabitants

• Saint Fanchea, abbess of Killeaney, fl. 500.
• Enda of Aran, early Christian missionary, died c. 530.
• James Concannon, (born 17 March 1847-after 1883), Irish Vintner.
• Maura Derrane, RTE television presenter, born 1970.
• Bridget Dirrane, Centenerian.
• Máirtín Ó Direáin, Irish language poet, 1910–1988.
• Liam O'Flaherty, novelist and short story writer, 28 August 1896 – 7 September 1984.
• Mahon mac Turlough Mantach Ó Briain, Chief of Inishmore, died 1565.
• Murrough mac Toirdelbach Ó Briain, Chief of Inishmore, fl. 1575–1588.
• Pat Mullen, actor and writer, bef.1901- a.1976.
• Breandán Ó hEithir, writer and broadcaster, 1930–1990.
• Tim Robinson (cartographer), author, born 1935.
• Conchobar Mac Con Rí, reputed Supercentenarian, died 1580.
• Murrough na dTuadh Ó Flaithbheartaigh, Chief of Iar Connacht, fl. 1569–1593.
• Ceannanach, early Irish missionary, fl. c. 490–500?

Abbots and Bishops of Aran

• 530 – Enda of Aran, died.
• 654 - St Nem Moccu Birn, successor of Enne, of Ara, died on the 14th of June.
• 751 – Repose of Colmán mac Comán, in Ára.
• 755 – Gaimdibhla, Abbot of Aran, died.
• 916 – Egnech, successor of Enda of Ara, bishop and anchorite, died.
• 1110 – Flann Ua Aedha, successor of Énna of Ára, died.
• 1114 – Maelcoluim Ua Cormacain, successor of Ende of Ara, died.
• 1167 - Gillagori Ua Dubhacan successor of Einde of Ara, died.

Towns and Villages

• Kilronan
• Kilmurvy
• Killeany
• Oghill

Annalistic references

From The Annals of the Four Masters:

• 1186. Conchubhar Ua Flaithbertaigh was killed by Ruaidhri Ua Flaithbertaigh, by his own brother, in Ara.

• M1560.8. Mahon, the son of Turlough, son of Teige, son of Donough, son of Donnell, son of Turlough Meith O'Brien, went into Desmond with the crew of a ship and boat, from the island of Aran. He took prisoners in the southern country, but some assert that the taking of them was of no advantage, and that they only accompanied him through friendship. On his return with his spoils, the wind became rough, and the sky angry; and the ship and boat were separated from each other; and when the ship was making for Aran in the beginning of the night, the sail was swept away from the hands of the men and warriors, and torn to rags off the ropes and tackles, and wafted into the regions of the firmament; and the ship afterwards struck upon a rock, which is at the mouth of Cuan-an-fhir-mhoir, in West Connaught, where she was lost, with her crew, except Mahon and three others. Upwards of one hundred were drowned in that harbour, among whom was Tuathal O'Malley, the best pilot of a fleet of long ships in his time.

• M1565.3. Mahon, the son of Turlough Mantagh, son of Donough, son of Donnell, son of Turlough Meith, was treacherously slain in his own town of Aircin, in Aran, by his own associates and relations. When the chief men of Galway heard of this, they set out to revenge this misdeed upon the treacherous perpetrators, so that they compelled them to fly from their houses; and they the fugitives went into a boat, and put to sea; and where they landed was in the harbour of Ross, in West Corca-Bhaiscinn. Donnell, the son of Conor O'Brien, having heard of this, he hastened to meet them with all the speed that he could exert; and he made prisoners of the greater number of them, and carried them in close fetters to Magh Glae, in the upper part of Corcomroe, in order that their sorrow and anguish might be the greater for being in viev of the place where they had perpetrated the crime; he hanged some of them, and burned others, according as their evil practices deserved.

See also

• List of abbeys and priories in County Galway

External Links

• Dun Aengus Stone Fort at MegalithicIreland
• Dun Oechla Stone Fort at MegalithicIreland