Aran Islands IV

One of the best visual impressions made about the Aran Islands is the book The Aran Islands by Bill Doyle. He was there in the 1970's, and documented life, crafts, economy and culture. It's one of my favourite books to draw inspiration from. The images are all in black-and-white, and that suits the atmosphere really well. The endless walls made of stones, the skies. The green of the fields is a huge contrast when you walk around on the islands. It's a modern society of course, but curraghs, the small boats, are still hand-made these days. And women still knit and sell their work.
So recently I came across a small company called Inis Meain. A lovely collection of local knitting. Their work reflects what I've written before; even in these contemporary days the feel of craft and tradition is still vivid. And inspiring.