‘Siar a raghadsa féin , Go hoileán mara i gcéin‘
No visit to Galway is complete without a visit to one of the islands. Island poet Mairtín O’ Diréain was planning a trip in the autumn to Inis Mór but a visit an island visit can be at any time of the year. Each one has its own unique charm, from ancient ruins and winding stone walls to sandy beaches and breathtaking seascapes. Whether you’re exploring the rugged beauty of the Aran Islands, soaking up the tranquillity of Inishbofin, walking in the footsteps of history on Inchagoill you are in for an unforgettable adventure. Many of these islands are just a short boat ride or flight , across a bridge or even across the strand at low tide!
Inis Mór
Inis Mór, as its name suggests is the ‘big island’, the largest of the three Aran Islands. This is an ancient land set in an endless sea where great labyrinths of limestone sweep upwards to strikingly steep cliffs, with their unique, weathered monuments of stone. Meandering stone walls pattern small patchwork fields, sometimes running down to clean, unpolluted, quiet beaches. Approximately 12km long and 3km wide Inis Mór is a walker’s holiday paradise, Across the island and over some many miles of craggy, sandy and sometimes stony shoreline there is an abundance of wildlife and over 437 varieties of wildflower.
Stay Aran Islands Hotel or Ard Éinne Guest House.
HighLights – Visit Dún Aonghasa or take a a food tour with Aran Goats Cheese
Don’t miss – The Féile na bhFlaitheartach summer festival on Inis Mór. It celebrates the works and lives of writers Liam & Tom O’ Flaherty
Getting there – By ferry from Ros a Mhíl with Aran Ferries or short 8 minute flight with Aer Arann Islands from Indreabhán.
Inis Meáin
Inis Meáin, the middle island, is situated between Inis Mór and Inis Oírr and is the least visited of the three Aran Islands. Follow a maze of narrow winding roads, sheltered paths and trails criss cross the island, from the rocky hillsides of the south to the deserted sandy beaches on the north shore. Wild flowers bloom everywhere and numerous examples of early settlements dot the limestone karst landscape. The prehistoric Dún Chonchubhair(Conor’s Fort), the most striking of the circular or oval ring forts of the Aran Islands. John Millington Synge, the well-known Anglo-Irish author and playwright, stayed in a cottage every summer from 1898 to 1902.
Stay overnight – Inis Meáin Stays
Highlights – Join Bláthanna Fiáin Tour (wildflower tour) or why not participate in one of the world’s most scenic Parkruns on Saturday morning.
Getting there By ferry from Ros a Mhíl with Aran Ferries or short minute flight with Aer Arann Islands from Indreabhán.
Inis Oirr
Inis Oírr is the smallest of the three Aran Islands. If you venture away from the settlement on the north of the island along the wandering shoreline you may feel like you have the island to yourself. Inis Oírr has probably been inhabited for 5,000 years but the earliest evidence of civilisation is at Cnoc Raithní, a Bronze Age burial mound dating from 1500 BC. Nearby are Teampall Chaomhán, a Medieval church ruin half buried in the sand and the 16th Century Caisleán Uí Bhríain, an imposing three storey tower house built within a Stone Age fort. To the north of the island golden sandy beaches offer safe swimming and stunning vistas of Connemara, while the eastern shore boasts a shipwreck and breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.
Stay overnight – use the Inis Oirr app to plan your trip.
Highlights – Check out Áras Éanna cultural centre events
Getting there By ferry from Ros a Mhíl with Aran Ferries or short minute flight with Aer Arann Islands from Indreabhán.
Inishbofin – Inis Bó Finne
Home to some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the whole country, Inishbofin (from the Irish Inis Bó Finne which means ‘Island of the White Cow’ ) is a small island off the North Connemara coast, in County Galway. With its unspoiled beaches and crystal-clear water, in Inishbofin you can enjoy activities such as swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, and sailing. The island offers several looped walks where you can enjoy the island’s wild scenery and birdlife. You may even spot the elusive corncrake. The island is also renowned for delicious local seafood and great music sessions.
Stay overnight at Doonmore Hotel
Highlights Visit for one of the many festivals throughout the year.
Getting there : Take the ferry from Cleggan. Citylink offers a service to Cleggan from Galway.
Galway Islands accessible by Bridge
Ceantar na nOileáin
An archipelago of connected islands with a series of causeways link the islands of Eanach Mheain, Lettermore, Gorumna and Lettermullan. This area is in the heart of the Gaeltacht. The stark, rocky landscape is balanced by the most amazing seascapes, coves, inlets and beaches. It is truly the kind of beauty that “arises out of the repetitive interweaving of simple elements” and one that “teems with ungraspable reiterations of details” as described by the author Tim Robinson.
Fascinating to everybody, it is a paradise for ramblers – various trails bringing you to different parts of the island including to Trá Huston ( Named after the film director who had a home nearby) The area features in the film The Guard and the parents of acclaimed film directors Martin McDonagh & John Paul McDonagh are from the area.
Stay overnight Tami Joy Farm
Highlights – Ionad Oidhreachta Leitir Mealláin is a treasure trove of memorabilia. After your walks around the island why not soak yourself in a seaweed bath at the Seaweed Centre.
Getting there – By car or by bus (424 from Galway to Leitir Mealláin)
Maínis (Mweenish)
Located South of Carna and connected to the mainland since the late 1890’s.
The western coastline is battered by the wild Atlantic but on the eastern side of the island there are beautiful sandy beaches. The island is associated with the Galway Hooker and the boat building skills of local families. While many of the boats have long since retired from their more practical uses their sailing skills are put to the test during the summer during the Féile na mBád which take place along the Cósta Gaelach. Like many of the islands along the coast emigration took its toll on Maínis throughout the years. Nearby by the Carna Emigrant Cenre tells the story of emigration from the region. Tradition music , singing and dancing is this area. Sean nós song ‘Amhrán Mhuínse’ tells the story of a woman on her deathbed who wanted to be buried on the island of her birth.
Stay Atlantic Wave B&B
Highlights: Visit Carna during Féile Joe hEinniú or Éigse Chomóradh Michael Mháire Ghabha to get a blas of the rich sean nós heritage.
Don’t miss The pilgrimage to nearby Oileáin Mhic Dara in July
Getting there By car . Limited bus service to Carna with Bus Eireann or Transport for Ireland. Bike Hire available locally.
Inis Ní
The small island of Inis Ní close to Roundstone is in the Gaeltacht and connected by bridge to the mainland. Inishnee offers a glimpse into the peace and tranquility that this area has to offer with small green fields, boggy hills and fresh sea air. Explore the Island via its looped walk which offers the opportunity to stop off at the old Reilig Naomh Maitiú (St Mathias’s graveyard). Take in the beautiful Connemara coastal scenery on all sides.
Stay Within the Village Roundstone
Highlight Enjoy a chowder or delicious seafood at O’Dowd’s
Getting there By car or get bus to Clifden and the Local Link serves Roundstone.
Islands accessible at Low Tide
Omey Island
Omey island is located only 600 metres offshore and accessible at low tide on foot or by car. Check the tide times before setting out.
The island is now uninhabited but it was once home to over 400 people. Pascal Whelan was the last inhabitant and his story featured on the Documentary on One. The island is of archaeological interest due to the presence of a fulacht fia and an early Christian church (Teampall Fecihín) , a holy well and burial grounds.
Loch Fahy on the island is home to ducks, swans and the occasional otter while on land rabbits are plentiful. Keep an ear out for choughs and other birds and admire the beautiful flowers during the summer.
Stay Clifden Eco Camping Site
Highlights The breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean , Island and inland to Connemara
Don’t Miss – Omey Races as horses gallop across the strand.
Gettin there – By Car or you can hire a bicycle in Clifden.
Oileáin Fínis
Oileáin Fínis is located close to Carna. The island is accessible at low tide by approaching the left side and strolling across the soft sand. The island is now deserted but shell middens suggest that it was inhabited from the Mesolithic period. There was once a school and church here and there is a holy well dedicated to Cholmcille. The island is well known for its boat builders , singers and musicians.
Highlight -The island usually features a a walk during Carna Walking Festival . Join the locals for a true insight to the history of the island.
Don’t miss Immerse yourself in the Ceol , Craic & Bia Blasta at Tigh Mheaic
Get there – By car . Limited bus service to Carna with Bus Eireann or Transport for Ireland. Bike Hire available locally.
Inchagoill (Inch a Ghaill)
Loch Corrib is reputed to have an island for every day of the year. Inchagoill is the most visited of the islands. It is possible to visit it with one of the companies providing trips on the lake. Inchagoill comes from the Irish ‘Inis an Ghaill‘ meaning ‘Island of the Stranger’.
The island is home to a number of monastic ruins, some of which date back to the 5th century including Teampall na Naoimh (Church of the Saints) and St. Patrick’s Church. A stone at the site has the earliest known inscription in Latin in Ireland. It reads ‘Lia Lugnaedon Macc Limenueh’ ‘The stone of Luguaedon [or Lugnad], son of Limenuich, the nephew of St Patrick’. The island is a popular lunch stop off place for fishermen and locals boating on the lake. Learn more about the about the history and natural diversity of the island with this great resource.
Stay Curreaveagh House in Oughterard
Highlights For history and stories about the island and the lake don’t miss the tour with the Luskins on Corrib Cruises or take a Corrib Safari.
Getting there – Bus Service to Oughterard and the Pier is approximately 20 mins walk.
