The Islands

Inis Mór
About the island: Inis Mór is the largest of the three Aran Islands and is the most developed in terms of tourist facilities. There are about 900 inhabitants on Inis Mór making it by far the most populated of the islands.
The main village on the island is Kilronan, which has a quite large harbour that accommodates a vast amount of tourist travel to the island. There are minibuses as well as horse and carts to take people around when they arrive off the boat or you could hire a bicycle which is also recommended. With the frequent boat trips every few hours from the mainland it is easily possible to visit just for one day if required.

Places to visit:
Dún Aengus:
One of the most famous attractions on the island is the stone fort of Dun Aonghasa which
is a semicircular shape and is at the edge of a cliffside offering excellent defence to its
ancient armies.
Dún Dubhchathair:
Located on the southern cliffs of Inis Mór this is thought to be the oldest of the forts
on Aran.
Dún Eochla:
The smallest fort on the island but it is excellently preserved and includes an inner citadel and outer defensive wall of stronger construction than any of the other forts.
Caisleán Aircín:
Named in English as Arkin's Castle, it was built in 1587. It was later occupied by Oliver
Cromwell's troops who plundered several monuments from around the island in order to repair it.
Teampall Bheanain:
Ruins of an ancient church which is one of the smallest in the world measuring just 10.75ft x 7ft.

Inis Meáin
About the island:
Inis Meain is the middle island and is said to be the most untouched of the three Aran Islands. The island is currently populated by only 200 people. A hotel recently opened on the island, Óstán Inis Meáin, this offers accommodation all year round. When travelling to Inis Meáin it is recommended that you would organise accommodation prior to arriving as with festivals and Bank Holiday Weekends it can become overbooked.

Places to Visit:
Dún Chonchúir:
This is a large oval fort dating around 5th Century A.D. Built by Conchúir brother of Aengus of the Fir Bolg. It is located on a high point of the island where the view is magnificent.
Dún Fearbhaí:
This stone fort of the 4th Century A.D, is an unusual in being almost square, instead of circular as the other forst are on the island. It is located on the top of a hill with terraced hills to its front. It is easy to climb on top of the wall, and look over to the pier and watch all the activity of boats arriving and departing.
Teach Synge:
The house where John Millington Synge stayed in while visiting the island. It has recently been fully restored to its original glory by the Co-Operative on the island. It is highly recommended that you visit this house while on the island. There is a picture of the house in our Gallery page.
Leaba Dhiarmuid agus Gráinne:
Dermot and Gráinne's bed, a collapsed neolithic wedge tomb named after tragic lovers from ancient Irish mythology. The ruins are pictured on our Gallery page.
Inis Meáin Knitwear:
Knitwear factory offering locally produced Knitwear that is shipped all over the world. The factory has a shop where you can purchase goods directly and offers tax free shopping to visitors outside the EU.

Inis Óirr
About the island:
Inis Óirr is the smallest of the three Aran Islands and is home to about 300 islanders. It may be possible to travel to the island for just one day depending on what time of the year you arrive as it has quite a large amount of boats visiting each day from Galway, Doolin and Rosá Mhíl.

Places to visit
Caisleán Ui Bhríain and Dún Fhormna:
This is a large three story castle built around 1585 and is thought to have been built by the O'Brien family.
Cill Ghobnait: A Small 9th Century church now laying in ruins.
Teampall Chaomhain Caomhan:
The ruins of a church built to honour, Caomhain Caomhan the patron saint of Inis Oírr. A festival is celebrated on the 14th of June each year in his honour. The church ruins date back to the 12th Century.
Tobar Einne:
The holy well of St.Enda, the patron saint of Inis Mór, although now is ruins the well is greatly respected by the islanders.
Wreck of the Plassey:
Located on Carraig na Finise is the wreck of the cargo vessel "Plassey" which was shipwrecked in the 1960's. The islanders rescued the entire crew from the vessel during storm force weather using Breeches Buoy without the loss of a single sailor. In later years with the strong Atlantic Ocean's waves the wreck thrown up on the rocks well above high tide mark. The National Maritime Museum in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin features a large display with pictures taken during the rescue. For those of you who watched the comedy "Father Ted" the Plassey wreck is in the opening credits of the programme.