A group of Irish speakers (and learners) from Gaeltacht an Eachréidh enjoyed a wonderful day out on Inis Meáin in the company of tour guide, teacher, and nature-lover Aedín Ní Thiarnaigh on Saturday.

Aedin, who is originally from Co. Wexford, has been living on the quietest of the three Aran Islands for five years now and shared her love of the place with us during the course of a guided walk.

Aedin is the founder of Bláthanna Fiáine Wildflower Walks, guided island tours in which she shares island folklore, fairy tales, and knowledge of native Irish plants. Gaeltacht an Eachréidh was delighted that she could fit us in for a guided tour ‘as Gaeilge’ a week after the very successful Féile na bPotachaí, the festival she set up to celebrate the humble blackberry.

The islanders have their own word “puiteachaí” (0r puiteacha) for what most Irish speakers call “sméara dubha”. It was just one of the delightful anecdotes Aedin had for us about the unique words to be found on the quietest of the three islands.

After taking a taxi from the pier, we began our adventure at Cathaoir Sygne, a seat sheltered by rocks with breath-taking views of Inis Mór and the mainland across Galway Bay.

Aedin told us about J.M. Synge’s connection to the island and how he was inspired to go there to find artistic inspiration, to learn and improve his spoken Irish, and immerse himself in a traditional way of life. Synge met the poet William Butler Yeats in Paris in 1896, who urged him to leave France and go to the Aran Islands to express a raw, unrecorded way of Irish life.

On our walk across the island, Aedin spoke of her love of nature on the island and introduced us to some words ‘as Gaeilge’ which are unique to the island.

Our walk took us to Teach Synge, where Ciaran MacDonnacha had lit a fire in the traditional cottage and answered questions about his family’s connection to the playright who spent months in the family home.

At the island’s church, we had time to examine the wonderful stained glass windows from the Harry Clarke Studio which draw in visitors throughout the year.

We finished our tour with soup and sandwiches at the Teach Osta, where people then had the option of going for a swim, taking the long walk back the new pier, or a taxi back to the boat for the return trip to Rossaveel.

Thanks to everyone who took part.

It was wonderful to meet Aedin and also to learn that the Irish language remains central to the life of this beautiful island on the edge of the Atlantic.

The big waves on the return journey could not dampen the spirits of the travelling group on our last outdoor tour of the summer.

A fantastic day out.