Not everyone can say that they grew up on an island. But for Inis Mór native, Maura Derrane, island life was her normal.
With a population of just 800 people on Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands, growing up there provided Maura with a unique experience. However, despite its quiet and laid back nature Maura says that she, and the rest of the island’s inhabitants were far from sheltered.
“It’s funny, people say, ‘You’re from an island, you must have had a really sheltered life,’ and yes, maybe in winter it was, but in the summer we were more cultured than people in cities.”
Maura puts this down to the vast array of people who would come to visit the island, whether for a short visit or a long-term stay.
“We’d meet people from everywhere, from Italy to Japan.”
The deep sense of community and support from home is something Maura has learned to appreciate most, particularly in the aftermath of her younger sister, Rita’s passing in 2023.
“What I love about Aran is it’s all hands on deck. I think the community is just so good. You only know how good people are when someone passes away,” she shares.
Spending as much free time as possible at home on Inis Mór, Maura calls the island her ‘comfort blanket’.
“When you go to Aran, you have to stop. There is a forced stopping, in a good way. It’s like a comfort blanket.”
The full interview with Maura Derrane can be found in the January/February issue of Irish Country Magazine. On shelves now.
