Ukrainians enjoy day-trip to Aran

“WE hope it took their mind off everything – for even just a few hours.”

Those are the words of the Aran Islands Ferries skipper who took 40 Ukrainian refugees on a visit Inis Mór last week.

The group, who travelled to the island on board the Saoirse na Farraige, spent a day exploring the island in what their guide says was a ‘great old day’ for all involved.

That guide was Gabriel Faherty of Aran Islands Goats Cheese and Tours who said his aim as he brought the group around was to ensure they enjoyed a day unlike any they’d had before.

“I make goats cheese and run food tours on the island and Áine McLoughlin [Marketing Manager] from Aran Island Ferries contacted me to see if I was available. It was great to be able to do it – do something to help.

“We tried to keep it upbeat as possible because we said it was important they’d have a happy memory of their time here,” says the Aran goat farmer.

The group were ferried from Galway Docks by Captain Ciarán Seoige and Skipper Aodhán Mac Donncha, who describes how those who helped out on the day were all moved by the experience.

“We welcomed them aboard at the Docks and brought the kids into the wheelhouse to have a look around. We tried to give them all the VIP treatment as much as we could and for a lot of them, this was their first time at sea,” says Aodhán.

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