The Aran Islands: Explore Galway’s Atlantic Frontier

Almost everyone has heard of the storied and remote Aran Islands, the three islands sitting 30 miles at the entrance to Galway Bay, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

Inis Mór (Great Island)
Inis Meáin (Middle Island)
Inis Oírr (Eastern Island)

Although the islands have developed greatly in recent years, with improved access and accommodation options ranging from stylish hotels, guesthouses and even glamping, they are still far-flung outposts of Gaelic culture, language, and lifestyle. Just over 1,500 people inhabit these islands.

Transportation to and from the mainland is facilitated by regularly scheduled ferry services and small aircraft. There are genuine islands with no bridges or tunnels!

Aran Island Ferries provides a year-round high-speed ferry service to Inis Mór from Rossaveal, the shortest crossing point from the mainland. Travel time is around 40 minutes. Rossaveal is 25 miles west of Galway City, and connecting bus service is available from Galway to Rossaveal. During the May-September period, Aran Island Ferries also operates boat connections from Inis Mór to Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. For more information, contact Aran Island Ferries (tel. 091-568903 | www.aranislandferries.com).

Seasonal boat services from Doolin, Co. Clare to the Aran Islands, Co. Galway, are operated (April or May to September or October) by Doolin Ferries, Doolin Pier, Co. Clare (tel. 065-707-4455 | www.doolinferries.com) and Doolin Ferry (tel. 065-707-5555 | www.doolinferry.com) and to Inis Oirr by Moher Cruises (tel. 065-707-5949 | www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises.com)

If you prefer to fly to the islands, plane service is operated by Aer Arann Islands from Connemara Regional Airport, Inverin, 20 miles west of Galway City. Flight time is less than 10 minutes. For more information contact Aer Arann Islands (tel. 091-593034 | www.aerarannislands.ie)

Once you arrive, the best way to get around is on foot or by renting a bicycle.

Aran Bike Hire at the Pier on Kilronan offer all types of bikes for hire including suspension bikes, tandems, trailers, children’s, and electric bikes; and also child seats if needs be. (Tel. 099-61132 | www.aranbikehire.com)

If you prefer a guide, you can also join a narrated minibus sightseeing tour or a horse-drawn cart tour.

Walkers should be aware that there are three way-marked walking trails on the islands:

Inis Mor Way – 34 km/24 miles
Inis Meain Way – 8 km/5 miles
Inis Oirr Way – 10.5 km/6.5 miles

Highlights along a touring route include:

Aran Heritage Centre (Ionad Arann), Kilronan, Inis Mór, is a comprehensive walk-through museum providing an insider’s glimpse of local history, language, and lifestyle. The classic 1934 film, “Man of Aran,” is also shown at regular intervals in a small upstairs screening room, an ideal activity for rainy days. Open April to October.

Dun Aonghasa, Inis Mór is a huge stone fort dating back to the late Bronze Age (1000 to 700 BC). Rising to a height of almost 300 feet above the Atlantic, it covers 11 acres, in a layout of three concentric circles of strong stone walls. It takes a lot of walking over rocky ground to reach this site and to explore it. (tel. 099-61008 | www.heritageireland.ie/en/west/dunaonghasa/)

Teachlach Einne (St. Enda’s Household), Inis Mór, is the site of a 5th century church built by St. Enda, credited as the founder of monasticism in Ireland. The burial chambers are reputed to contain the remains of St. Enda and 120 other saints.

Aran Islands Map