The Aran Islands

The Aran Islands (Oileáin Árann, in Gaelic) are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. The name of the three islands, from the West to the East are:

• Inishmore (Árainn Mhór or Inis Mór) which means what it is, the largest island.
  
• Inishmaan (Inis Meáin or Inis Meadhóin) means the middle (and second-largest) island.
  
• Inisheer (Inis Oírr or Inis Oirthir) the most eastern (and the smallest) island.

Inishmore, the largest island, is the main tourist attraction of all three islands. The access to the islands is made only through motorboats and ferries. There is a ferry port at Rossaveal, which is on the West of the city of Galway. If you arrive at Rossaveal by car be careful on the Galway area, because the traffic is intense during the working hours. We arrived just ten minutes before departure... However, there is another less-known choice. On the far side of Galway Bay, there is another enbarkment, in Doolin, near the famous Cliffs of Moher.

You can spent a perfect day at Inishmore. There are a lot of activities available. Once your boat ties up you can rent a bike for just €10 a day. After crossing Kilronan (the bigest city in the island) it is possible to choose several routes. We follow the road to the Dún Aonghasa prehistoric fort. We left our bikes in a parking and after visiting the ruins we went to the spectacular cliffs of the island.

Then, we took the typical Irish beer and went to buy an original pullover from the islands (very expensive to be honest). we spent the rest of the day biking through the Island. If I am correct, we came back at 17.00 to Rossaveal and went to the Cliffs of Moher.

The other islands can be also visited, but it is better to book in hostel to have plenty of time...
The Aran Islands are a kind of remote place, so unique. If you are travelling through Ireland do not hesitate to visit them.

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