Still trying to catch my breath here. It's been a couple of years since I last set foot on Arranmore and a lifetime since I last took a journey to the far side of the island to view the lighthouse at Rinawros Point. And what a view.
Like I say, more than enough to take your breath away but this could equally be applied if you ventured too close to the edge of any of the viewing points.
I’ve said it before - they only think they’ve got scenery in Kerry. We don’t have Sam Magui
re but we’ve got much more.
In the company of family and relations, I made the crossing by ferry - did you know there are actually two ferry companies operating a service to and from the island? No, neither did I - last Saturday afternoon. And after a bite to eat in the Glen Hotel, some of us made our way to the location of Donegal’s first ever lighthouse (the initial structure was built in 1798) passing through the heart of the island, along Loch an Chomhanaigh where the unique Beaver Island memorial is located. This marks a connection with the United States when several hundred emigrants from Arranmore settled near Lake Michigan after the famine. Arranmore is twinned with Beaver Island as a result and this impressive memorial was opened nine years ago. One serious complaint, however - both the Irish tricolour and the U.S. flag are flying there but hardly proudly, two tattered remnants that surely should be replaced and no doubt drew a few grimaces from the quartet of overseas tourists who were walking the route to Rinawros Point on Saturday.
But what a sight awaited them and us on the approach to the lighthouse and at the point itself. Wow is almost the best word to describe the stunning combination of gorge and sheer cliff faces that surround you. Even the sheep appear impressed. There are even a couple of self-catering holiday homes available at the lighthouse for those who don’t mind being far removed from shops and pubs and the like but are guaranteed the view of views when waking up in the morning.
While waiting for the 5 o’clock ferry back to Burtonport. a pub was not far removed from our party, seated as we were in Phil Ban’s, dividing eyes between the bountiful beach in front and the cluster of islands that separate Arranmore from the mainland and the massive T.V. screen - is this the island cinema? - where Stoke City and Manchester United were playing and Rory Delap was taking a throw-in that wouldn’t have needed the ferry to hit the mainland.
We pondered on taking the 6 o’clock ferry but in the end promised ourselves a weekend in the not too distant future to savour more the landscape and history that marks this quite spectacular island.
