Arans Crossed Pillars – The Standing Stones of the Aran Islands
While holidaying on Inis Mór on the Aran islands off of the west coast of Galway last summer, I passed by the strange pillars with names inscribed as on headstones, with crosses on top.
I was intregued, and so set to enquire as to their meaning.
The meaning was for the dead at sea from the islands, or a loved one who died abroad whose body would not be coming home, and they serve as a reminder to those dead who have none left alive to mourn them in their native islands.