Tugann na giotaí leabhair seo cur síos suimiúil ar Inis Meáin.

The Aran Islands, JM Synge — First published 1907 Penguin Books Ltd

I have come out of a hotel full of tourists and commercial travellers, to stroll along the edge of Galway Bay, and look out in the direction of the islands. The sort of yearning I feel towards those lonely rocks is indescribably acute. This town, that is usually so full of wild human interest, seems in my present mood a tawdry medley of all that is crudest in modern life. The nullity of the rich and the squalor of the poor give me the same pang of wondering disgust; yet the islands are fading already and I can hardly realize that the smell of the seaweed and the drone of the Atlantic are still moving round them…

…One of the largest Dúns, or pagan forts, on the islands is within a stone’s throw of my cottage, and I often stroll up there after a dinner of eggs or salt pork, to smoke drowsily on the stones. The neighbours know my habit, and not infrequently some one wanders up to ask what news there is in the last paper I have received, or to make inquiries about the American war. If no one comes I prop my book open with stones touched by the Fir-bolgs, and sleep for hours in the delicious warmth of the sun.

Lonely Planet to Ireland — Published 2005

Inishmaan — This is a sweet spot. The cows here groan with what must be the pure pleasure of grazing in such a peaceful place – or maybe they just need to be milked? Early Christian monks seeking solitude but not wishing to compromise their refined sense of natural beauty were drawn to Inishmaan (Inis Meáin), as was the author JM Synge, who spent five summers here over a century ago. The virtues they found in the island largely survive today: endless, snaking stone walls up to 2m high; docile farm animals; warm-hearted Irish speakers; impressive old forts; startling cliffs; and a welcomed respite from the fast-paced modern world. To their credit, the islanders here are mildly indifferent to the prospect of attracting tourist euros. Inishmaan is about 5km long by 3km wide. Walking is a fine way to get around.