Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The other islands, Inisheer and Inishmaan, are smaller, much less populated, and less
touristy. While extremely quiet, they do have B&Bs, daily flights, and ferry service. For
most, the big island is quiet enough. But Inisheer is a good alternative if your travel plans
take you to Doolin (a 25-minute ferry ride away) and not Galway, which is closer to Inish-
more's port.
The largest of the Aran Islands has a blockbuster sight: the striking Dún Aenghus fort,
set on a sheer cliff. Everyone arrives at Kilronan, the Aran Islands' biggest town, though
it's just a village. Groups of backpackers wash ashore with the docking of each ferry.
Minivans, bike shops, and a few men in pony carts sop up the tourists.
Planning Your Time
Most travelers visit Inishmore (Inis Mór) as a day trip by boat from Galway. (Boats from
Doolin are too slow and weather-dependent to allow enough time for a same-day round-
trip to Inishmore.) Here's a good framework for a day trip: Leave Galway at 9:00 on the
shuttle bus to Rossaveel, where you'll catch the 10:30 boat. You'll step off the boat in Kil-
ronan at about 11:15. Arrange minivan transport or rent a bike, visit Dún Aenghus, and
grab a bite at a café near the base of the Dún Aenghus fort trail. Explore the island during
low tide, and depart on the boat when high tides return between 16:00 and 18:00. You can
squeeze an extra hour or two out of your day trip by booking an early flight over and a late
flight back from Connemara Regional Airport near Rossaveel. For more details on these
options, see “Aran Islands Connections” at the end of this chapter.
