"Ní neart go cur le chéile Sense of community and migration on the Aran Islands

Abstract

The Aran Islands near the west coast of Ireland have faced the issue of a decreasing population over the last hundred years. Through migration flows in a globalising world the Aran Islands had to adapt to the modernisation, which happened a lot quicker for small communities than on the mainland and urban centres in Ireland. Formerly, the Aran Islands were quite isolated for many years. Therefore, they kept a strong social cohesion and a profound sense of belonging. The islands share a common history with a unique authentic culture, which consists of traditions as fishing, farming and the Irish language. This collective memory in combination to the strong social cohesion and sense of belonging creates a great sense of community on the Aran Islands.