Drystone Walls of the Aran Islands : Exploring the Cultural Landscape

by Laheen, Mary

• ISBN13: 9781848890251
• ISBN10: 1848890257
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-01
• Publisher: Collins Pr

Summary

The Aran Islands produced writers such as Liam O'Flaherty and Tim Robinson who were inspired by their surroundings. The drystone-wall field-boundary system of the islands is one of Ireland's richest cultural landscapes, retaining remarkable continuity with the past - Celtic occupation, Christianity, invasion, famine, evictions - a unique combination of the forces of humankind and nature. This book explores this landscape, which is threatened by change.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. vi
Introduction	p. 1
Cultural Landscape in Ireland	p. 5
The Landscape itself as a Primary Source	p. 17
The Aran Islands - Geology and Land Division	p. 21
Topography and Geology	p. 24
Background History	p. 28
The Townland Matrix	p. 30
The Townlands and Ceathrúna of Aran	p. 32
Settlement and Landholding	p. 51
Village and Ceathrú	p. 52
Clachan and Rundale?	p. 55
Fertility and Land Reclamation	p. 58
A Closer Look	p. 75
Ceathrú Chorrúch	p. 77
Field Furniture	p. 113
Bóithre (roads)	p. 128
The Future	p. 131
Authenticity and Significance	p. 132
Vulnerability: Changes in Agriculture and Other Threats	p. 140
The Future: Designation, Stewardship and Management	p. 148
Conclusion	p. 159
References	p. 163
Bibliography	p. 169
List of Figures	p. 173
Glossary	p. 177
Index	p. 179
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