Here, on the very edge of Europe, is an Island rich in the language, culture and heritage of Ireland, unique in its geology and archaeology and in its long tradition of gentle hospitality. Here is a place to sense the spirit of Gaelic Ireland, to touch the past. Aran will take you back to an Ireland of Celts and Early Christians. This is an island of great peace and tranquility, but it is also an island of great fun and activity.
A timeless land in an endless sea, weathered monuments on awesome cliffs, great labyrinths of limestone, meandering walls, patchwork fields, quiet beaches and a welcoming island people, this is Aran in Galway bay on the west coast of Ireland
The Aran Islands are richly unique. Landscapes of Limestone rock, a stretch of cliffs facing the moods of the Atlantic, Large bolders, rock formations, and unusally clean beaches. It is also a place steeped in
emmense cultural heritage and history. Gaelic language is the first language of its residents. It is considered the foothold of Irish culture. The Islands themselves are an outdoor museum of artifacts of religous and cultural importance. The three Aran Islands,
Inis Mór (Big Island), Inis Meáin (Middle island) and
Inis Oírr (East island) are situated in a north westerly south easterly direction at the mouth of Galway Bay, Ireland.
Athena on the Cliffs of Inis Meai`n , Aran Island September 2008
She had the good fortune of celebrating her twentieth birthday in Ireland while she studied at the
University of Cork
Fall semester '08.
"There is never an end to the Journey road.
Tolkien had Bilbo say:
The road goes ever on and on
out from the door where it began
now far ahead the road has gone
and I must follow if I can.
Pursuing it with weary feet
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet
And whither then I cannot say?"
Well, I met the challenge of blogging along with some fellow Slowtravellers daily for the month of February,
What follows are some descriptions and photographs of meals hosted by "Outstanding in the Field". Here is a short explanation of what this is:
Nantucket island 
City Farm ingredients included throughout: turnips, greens, tomatoes, beans, herbs and other goodies.
Out in the field event even in big cities like "Chicago" . Food supplied by City Farm ( is a tremendous effort by farmer Tim Wilson to reclaim and rehabilitate abandoned spaces in the city of Chicago. Productive green fields of vegetables are surrounded on all sides by the bustle of the city.)
Friday dawned with a deep blue sky as we made our way to Cedar Summit(Minnesota). Cedar Summit is Jim’s dream come true for a dinner site: a big green grassy field. We’ve seen every kind of site over the past nine years, but never a field of green grass. Truly we would be “Out Standing in the Field”.
" the shore of the west side of the Okanagan Lake Dale and Donna’s farm. The views were spectacular on the 135 km (84 mile) long lake. Dale Ziech farms the lakefront property, growing lettuces, carrots, tomatoes and herbs. Dale’s wife Donna Denison produces her famous Little Creek Garden salad dressings right on the farm. Guest chefs Dana Ewart and Cameron Smith have come to the Okanagan from eastern Canada, where they worked with some of Canada’s most honored chefs."
Plating meals for family style eating
Allandale Farm in Boston, MA.
Athens, Georgia Full Moon Farms
A vegetarian feast set in the Napa mountainside farm/garden that supplies Ubuntu Restaurant.
Here, on the very edge of Europe, is an Island rich in the language, culture and heritage of Ireland, unique in its geology and archaeology and in its long tradition of gentle hospitality. Here is a place to sense the spirit of Gaelic Ireland, to touch the past. Aran will take you back to an Ireland of Celts and Early Christians. This is an island of great peace and tranquility, but it is also an island of great fun and activity.
Athena on the Cliffs of Inis Meai`n , Aran Island September 2008 
