Flora & Fauna

The Aran Islands in general are typified and charactorized as an extention of the Burren and this you will find a similar repitoire of natural plants which draws peoples attention. The uniqueness of this cannot be underestimated. The plant life around these parts of Ireland combines plantlife from the Mediterranean, Arctic, Alpine and Temperate varieties. These plants grow together in one cosy ecosystem. This is remarkable and nowhere else in the world is this evident. Between May and September every year, the otherwise barren landscape of Inis Oirr is abundant with colour as these small plants begin to emerge between the grykes of the karst limestone areas and along the dry-stone walls of the island. The usual Irish native flora of harebells, scabious, red clover, oxeye dasies and saxifrage are common as well as the ‘out of place’ Arctic ‘dryas octopetala’ and Alpine ‘gentiana verna’ and ‘Minuartia verna’.