Aran islands are located at the western coast of the Republic of Ireland. They are rather small and insignificant on first sight, however they are deemed important for many Irish - it is one of the rare locations where irish is the dominant language. Limestone krasts (of which the islands consists) do not allow for any vegetation, in order to grow grass, the surface has to be regularly fertilized by dried sea weed. Despite these tough conditions, the Aran islands became refuge for many Irish, who were fleeing the famine in the middle of the 19th century.