Episode 2
From the Aran Islands to Valentia, islanders embrace their environment. On Skellig Michael, Ardal visits a spectacular ancient monastery.
脫 aillte cumhachtacha go h脡idin fhothr贸paiceach, t谩 茅ags煤lacht mh贸r idir na hoile谩in amach 贸 ch贸sta thiar na h脡ireann. Ar na hOile谩in 脕rann, buaileann Ardal le fear a thugann l茅argas ar oidhreacht 谩rsa Chr铆osta铆 na n-oile谩n, agus feiceann s茅 r茅imse iontach fl贸ra, spreagtha ag modhanna traidisi煤nta feirmeoireachta.
Ag leanstan leis 贸 dheas, tugann s茅 cuairt ar an Bhlascaod M贸r, 谩it ch贸naithe Peig Sayers. T谩 coil铆neacht r贸nta faoi bhl谩th ann, agus coinn铆onn feighlithe s煤il mhaith ar an 谩it. In aice l谩imhe t谩 Dairbhre agus fianaise iontaisithe ann d谩 raibh beo insan fharraige fad贸. Insna huisc铆 m贸rthimpeall t谩 caomhn贸ir铆 oisr铆 ag obair go dian agus t谩 na t谩irgeoir铆 f铆on morm贸nta ar th贸ir for谩iste thart timpeall orthu. Cuireann s茅 clabhs煤r ar an turas insan eagr谩n seo ar Sceilg Mhich铆l, su铆omh oidhreachta domhanda Unesco.
From mighty, windswept cliffs to lush, sub-tropical gardens, the islands off the west coast of Ireland are extraordinary in their diversity.
On the Aran Islands, Ardal learns from a practising monk of their ancient Christian heritage while, all around, a remarkable range of flora blooms, encouraged by traditional farming methods. Continuing south, Ardal visits the abandoned Great Blasket Island, former home to Irish author Peig Sayers, and now home to a thriving seal colony and two young caretakers.
On nearby Valentia Island, Ardal is shown fossilised evidence of early life emerging from the sea, while in the surrounding waters, oyster conservationists are hard at work. On land, Ireland鈥檚 only vermouth producers forage for ingredients. Ardal ends with a visit to spectacular Skellig Michael, a Unesco world heritage site that is home to numerous puffins and the world鈥檚 most dramatic ancient monastery.