Step into Aran Island Gaeltacht life, where tradition, innovation and technology work hand in hand against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery for a unique and quality tourist experience.
It is now more than 40 years since Aran Island Ferries first transported tourists to the Aran Islands on board their family Galway hooker, An Tonaí, a traditional vessel which remains in the family today. In 2024, the award-winning Aran Island Ferries operates a ferry service from two key Galway locations, Ros a’Mhíl Harbour in Connemara, its traditional departure point where multiple daily ferry transfers are available year-round to all three Aran Islands, Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr. Its most recent development and offering, Saoirse na Farraige, Ireland’s largest passenger ferry operates daily from Galway city to Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands, with a cruise by the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. This part-guided daily cruise will from Galway Docks until Sunday, September 22.
Both Aran Island Ferries options provide excellent and safe ferry crossings with a highly professional, personable and talented crew to the jewels in the crown of Galway Bay and the Wild Atlantic Way, the Aran Islands.
A visit to Aran is a unique island cultural experience where the traditions of the Irish language and a rich island heritage live freely alongside a vibrant and multi-generational family tourism and hospitality industry which is extremely valuable to life on the islands. All this is delivered to a backdrop of breathtaking of views of the islands, Galway Bay, Connemara and Clare.
Visitors have a wealth of choice for a day trip or overnight experience, as a couple or with family or friends. The islands offer an excellent choice of high-quality accommodation including hotels, a hostel, guest houses, Airbnbs and glamping. A warm Aran Islands welcome awaits, with excellent food and entertainment and a unique island tradition and personality. Walk, cycle, or take a minibus tour or a relaxing pony and trap ride on the islands. Visit the splendid stone fort, Dún Aonghasa, on Inis Mór and learn the tradition of food on the islands with Aran Food Tours and Aran Island Goats Cheese; 2024 welcomes the first ever Aran Seafood truck en route to the iconic Dún Aonghasa.
Aran Off Road Experience explores the hidden gems of the Worm Hole (Poll na bPéist ) and the roads less travelled on Inis Mór in a 4X4 jeep, along with the behind-the-scenes sites of the acclaimed Martin Mc Donagh movie, The Banshees of Inisherin. The tradition of the Aran sweater is found in exhibitions and showcases across the islands. The clear waters of the Atlantic surrounding the Aran Islands are ideal for diving and water sports, with Dive Academy on Inis Mór or visitors can choose the Aran Sea Tours experience as well.
Organic and wholesome food is plentiful across all three islands with an extensive choice of freshly caught seafood on all menus. Traditional sessions take place nightly and aimed at families also. Inis Mór born singer-songwriter Pádraig Jack will make multiple island appearances when not touring across Ireland this summer.
For literary enthusiasts, the tours of Inis Meáin give an authentic insight to the calmness of island life while the treasure of Cathaoir Synge, the seat of the famous writer John Millington Synge is a must visit. Tours are available daily and bicycles are for hire, with music and food in the local Teach Ósta.
Inis Oírr has the spectacle of the Plassey shipwreck, along with O’Brien’s Castle, the lighthouse, Teampall Caomhán and the multi-functional arts space Áras Éanna, which offers an excellent arts and culture programme to visitors and locals alike, and there’s also the relaxing Inis Oirr Seaweed Baths.
In 2024, the ever-growing tradition of family hospitality businesses on the Aran Islands marks multiple milestones including the award-winning Aran Island Ferries which marks 40+1 years and the second generation of the O’Brien family comfortably transporting passengers to all three of the Aran Islands.
The tradition of shopping and commercial supplies on Inis Mór including groceries, Aran sweaters and more is now in its fourth generation and marking 108 years with the Mullen family and the Spar shop on Inis Mór. It is 55 years since a handful of bicycles were first available on Inis Mór for visitors back in 1969. Today, thousands of bicycles, from traditional to electric, tandems and bicycles with buggies for all age groups are available in 2024 with Aran Bike Hire who carry on the tradition.
Across the hospitality sector, the Aran Islands welcome and facilitate a unique island experience with true Gaeltacht Island ethos which is celebrated in 2024 especially on Inis Mór. The Gill Family and Ard Éinne guest house marks 40 years of welcoming guests to Killeany, Inis Mór. Clodagh Ní Ghoill (Gill ) and her family are warmly delivering the mantle under the astute supervision of their mother who founded the business. The stunning thatched cottage at the foot of Dún Aonghasa, Teach Nan Phaidí marks 20 years of award-winning food, with sumptuous daily, home cooked menus on offer. All ingredients are island sourced with much pride in the seafood selection and of course locally grown vegetable and salad ingredients.
Husband and wife team, PJ and Grace Flaherty, are marking 43 years of food and hospitality on Inis Mór and 15 years in the award-winning Tigh Joe Watty’s where their son, rising composer and singing star Pádraig Jack is influenced for his new creations and often performs.
A visit to Galway and Connemara is complete with a ferry ride to the Aran Islands and for Galwegians and their family and friends, a ferry crossing or cruise to the Aran Islands with Aran Island Ferries gives a wholesome and unique day out or minibreak in a stunning location where traditions of previous generations are coupled with the innovations of life in 2024. Creating a fun and authentic experience which is wholesome and rewarding for all age groups, the Aran Islands offer escapism, culture, adventure, language and heritage along with beautiful scenery. Aran Island Ferries offers memories and a first-class ferry experience to the Aran Islands.
Check out www.aranislandferries.com or follow it on social media for the latest information and things to do on all three of the Aran Islands.
