Aran Islands Oileain Arann

The Aran Islands lie in the Atlantic between 25 and 30 miles southwest of Galway. There are three islands: Inishmore (area 12 sq. mi/30.54 sq. km), Inishmaan (3.5 sq. mi/9 sq. km), and Inisheer (2.25 sq. mi/5.6 sq. km).

The Aran Islands can be reached either by air or sea. Aer Arann flies daily to all three islands from Carnmore, 4mi/6km northeast of Galway.

Picture - Roosters on a fence in the Aran Islands.

Picture - Colorful architecture of the Aran Islands.

Picture - Sunset over a beach on the Aran Islands.

Picture - Stone wall at Dun Aonghasa in the Aran Islands.

View a slideshow of Aran Islands Pictures

There are daily boat services (CIE line) from Galway and Rossaveal, and in summer from Doolin to Inishmore. In summer there are ferries from Inisheer and Inishmaan from Spidaal, and in summer from Doolin to Inisheer.

Thanks to the remoteness of the islands their inhabitants have preserved much of the old Irish culture that has been lost elsewhere. The language of the islands is still predominantly Irish. The traditional life of the Aran fisherfolk is depicted in the works of J. M. Synge, among other writers, and in Robert Flaherty's film "Man of Aran."

The islands, of karstic limestone, are rugged and infertile. With unremitting toil the inhabitants have built up successive layers of sand and seaweed into small and irregularly shaped fields which they call "gardens." The gardens are sheltered by drystone walls.

Visitors and freight are conveyed to the two smaller islands in currachs, light boats made of laths and tarred canvas which are also taken far out into the open sea to fish for lobsters.

Until a few years ago the islanders still wove their own clothing and wore handmade shoes of hide without heels known as "pampooties." Still to be seen are the hand-knitted and very durable Aran jerseys of white sheep's wool and the long woolen belts of colored wool known as the "crios." Visitors can buy them on the islands, as in the rest of Ireland.

There are remains of so many old buildings on the islands that mention of only the most important sites (all scheduled as National Monuments) is possible. Since the dating of the early structures is subject to uncertainty, no dates have been given here.

Related Attractions

Inishmore

Dún Aonghasa

On the edge of the cliffs fringing the southwest coast of Inishmore is the great stone fort of Dún Aenghus, a mighty semicircle of three roughly concentric enclosures on the brink of sheer cliffs dropping 300ft/90m to the sea. The inner court, 150ft/45m in diameter, is surrounded by a stepped drystone wall, 20ft/6m high and 18ft/5.4m thick at the base, containing various passages and chambers. The middle rampart is surrounded by a defense consisting of thousands of sharp-pointed stones set close together (chevaux-de-frise), in the manner of a modern tank barrier. From the edge of the cliff, one can catch a breathtaking glimpse of the surf far below and a splendid view over the sea.

Picture - View of the ocean from Dun Aonghasa in the Aran islands.

Picture - "Limestone pavement" of Dun Aonghasa, Aran islands.

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Oghil Fort

Oghil Fort (a National Monument) lies to the east of Dún Aenghus on the island of Inishmore. The Oghil fort is a stone fort with two concentric ring-walls and steps leading up to the ramparts.

Kilmurvey

North of Dún Aenghus on Inishmore island, at the hamlet of Kilmurvey, are the ninth century Church of St Brecan and Temple MacDuagh, an early church with a choir.

Dún Onaght

On a ridge northwest of Kilmurphey on Inishmore island stands the stone fort of Dún Onaght, which is almost exactly circular in form.

Kilronan

Kilronan, at the southeast end of Inishmore, is the chief place on the island. 2mi/3km south, around Killeany, are the remains of numerous religious buildings.

Tighlagh Eany

Of particular interest at Killeany on the southeast end of the island of Inishmore is Tighlagh Eany, an early church. The church has later features as well, and is all that remains of the monastic settlement of St Enda (Eany); there is a very fine cross shaft with interlace ornament and a relief figure of a horseman.

St Benan's Church

Near Tighlagh Eany on Inishmore island is St Benan's Church, one of the smallest churches in the world, measuring only 10.75x7ft/3.2x2.1m.

Inishmaan

The smaller islands that are part of the Aran Island group have remains of old buildings scattered about in a landscape of stony soil and drystone walls.

On a steep-sided hill on Inishmaan rises the oval fort of Dún Conor (National Monument), with a number of hut sites (restored) in the interior. It affords excellent views, and also has a fine dolmen. The old way of life of the Aran islanders, especially their clothing, is particularly well preserved on Inishmaan.

The house of the poet and dramatist John Millington Synge, who drew attention to the special nature of the archipelago in his book "The Aran Islands" (1907), has been carefully preserved.

Inisheer

O'Briens Castle

Among the remains on Inisheer island are the medieval tower of O'Brien's Castle, prominently situated on a rocky hill.

Inishneer - St Gobnet's Church

St Gobnet's Church, on the island of Inishneer, is a small oratory with the characteristic features of Early Irish architecture.

St Cavan's Church

Every year on June 14 the little church of St Cavan is cleared of the sand that continually drifts over it so that a service can be held; the Saint's tomb is also swept clear of sand for the occasion.