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Inishmore
Aran Islands
Strewn like limestone chips hammered off the jagged west coast, the three Aran Islands — Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer — confront the wild Atlantic with stubborn grit. Craggy, vertical cliffs fortify their southern flanks (particularly Inishmore). Windswept rocky fields, stitched together by stone walls, blanket the interiors. And the islands' precious few sandy beaches hide in coves that dimple their northern shores. The vast majority of the islands' visitors make a day trip to Inishmore (the biggest of the islands), where they hop on a minibus to the must-see Iron Age fort of Dun Aengus.
At a Glance
▲▲▲ Dun Aengus Remote 2,000-year-old Iron Age ring fort on Inishmore, with breathtaking coastal views and surrounded by a defensive ring of sharp stones.
▲▲ Island Minivan Tours Dependable, weatherproof transport between Inishmore's sights, driven by gift-of-gab locals who contribute random, humorous, and occasionally factual commentary en route.
Seven Churches and St. Enda's Church Ruins of two separate early Christian communities at opposite ends of Inishmore, both reachable by minivan, bike, or pony trap.
Black Fort, St. Benen's Church, and the Worm Hole Three separate, isolated ancient sites scattered across Inishmore, offering dramatically windswept vistas reachable only by rocky and rewarding hikes.
Inisheer Small, quiet-island alternative to Inishmore's hectic day-tripper scene, featuring modest sights including the ruins of O'Brien's Castle, the sand-sunken St. Cavan's Church, and the beached An Plassy shipwreck; more easily reached from Doolin than Galway.
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- Ireland’s Aran Islands: Bleak and Beautiful