The West —
The Aran Islands

Photos: (clockwise) Aran ferry preparing to dock at Kilronan pier; Aran Islands landscape; horse-drawn car tour

Almost everyone has heard of the storied and remote Aran Islands — three islands sitting 30 miles out at sea where Galway Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Inishmore (Inis Mor) — Great Island
Inishmaan (Inis Meain) — Middle Island
Inishere (Inis Oirr) — Eastern Island

Although the islands have been modernized greatly in recent years (with electricity, running water, indoor plumbing, TV, and motorized vehicles), 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 operated by regularly scheduled ferry services and small aircraft. There are no bridges or tunnels!

Two companies - Island Ferries and Aran Islands Direct – provide a year-round high-speed ferry service to Inishmore 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, Island Ferries also operates boat connections from Inishmore to Inisheer and Inishmaan. Note: As of summer, 2008, Aran Direct is operating a catamaran service from Galway City to Inishmore, with a travel time of less than 60 minutes. For more information, contact Island Ferries, tel. 091-568903, web site: www.aranislandferries.com or Aran Direct, tel. 091-566535, web site: www.arandirect.com. Both companies also have desks in the tourist offices on Forster Street, Galway and at Salthill.
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); Web site: www.doolinferries.com; Doolin Ferry (tel. 065-707-5555; Web site: www.doolinferry.com; and to Inis Oirr by Moher Cruises (tel. 065-707-5949; Web site: www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises.com

If you prefer to fly to the islands, plane service is operated by Aer Arann from Connemara Regional Airport, Inverin, 20 miles west of Galway City. Flight time is less than 10 minutes. For more information, check at the Galway Tourist Office on Forster Street or call Aer Arann (tel. 091-593034), Web site: www.aerarannislands.ie

Once you arrive, the best way to get around is on foot or by renting a bicycle. 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, Inishmore (tel. 099-61355), 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. Web site: www.visitaranislands.com

Dun Aonghasa, Inishmore (tel. 099-61008), 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. Web site: www.heritageireland.ie

Teachlach Einne (St. Enda's Household), Inishmore, 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.

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