Explore 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.

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 Chonchubar(Conor’s Fort), the most striking of the circular or oval ring forts of the Aran Islands. Situated on the highest point of the island Dún Chonchubar is is a hillfort and was used for defence and as a watch point. John Millington Synge, the well-known Anglo-Irish author and playwright, stayed in this cottage every summer from 1898 to 1902. Refurbishments were carried out in recent years and the house is open to visitors during the summer months.

There are cliffs on both the south and west side of the island. It is a beautiful, scenic route to the south coast from the east to west side of the island. If you walk just a little further south past Teach Synge(or Synge’s House), you can look over the big west-facing cliffs of Inis Meáin. Even on a relatively calm day the waves will be beating against the rocks in masses of spray and foam. In the distance you may see great pillars of spray spouting up well inland out of the puffing holes. These cliffs are exciting to explore.

Tá Inis Meáin suite i lár báire idir Inis Mór Agus Inis Oírr agus is ann is lú de thrí oileán Árann a dtagann cuairteoirí. Tá bóithre cúnga, cosáin atá foscúil ag síneadh ar fud an oileáin ó na creaga ó dheas go dtí na tránna gainmheacha ó thuaidh. Tá bláthanna fiáine i ngach áit agus neart samplaí ar fáil den bhealach ar chuir daoine fúthu san am a caitheadh ar an talamh seo atá lán le cloch aoil. Tá Dún Chonchubhair ar cheann de na dúnta ciorclacha réamh-staire is suntasaí ann. Tá Dún Chonchubhair mar dhún daingean ar baineadh úsáid as mar dhún faire agus cosanta. D’fhan an t-údar cáiliúil, John Millington Synge, sa teach seo gach samhradh ó 1898 go dtí 1902. Rinneadh athchóiriú ar an teach le blianta beaga agus tá an teach ar oscailt anois do chuairteoirí i míonna an tsamhraidh. Tá aillte ar an taobh ó theas agus ar thaobh thiar an oileáin. Tá an áit go hálainn agus tú ag siúl ar an gcósta theas ó thaobh thoir go dtí taobh thiar an oileáin. Má théann tú beagán thar Theach Synge beidh amharc agat ar na haillte a bhfuil a n-aghaidh siar ar Inis Meáin. Fiú amháin ar lá ciúin beidh na tonnta ag briseadh in aghaidh na gcarraigeacha agus cúr leo. Is fiú go mór duit lán do shúl a bhaint as na haillte seo.