Discover Inishmore

On Inishmore, millennia-old cultural sites, the Atlantic coast and distinctive wildlife come together. Dún Aonghasa stands on a cliff above the Atlantic and is over 3,000 years old. Churches, a circular walking trail, a sandy beach and guided experiences also offer different ways to shape your trip. When planning, you can decide whether you would most like to explore historic sites, nature or activities on and in the water.

Archaeological sites and churches

The Dún Aonghasa visitor centre is open year-round and offers guided tours. The site’s great age and its location on the cliff make it a striking destination for anyone interested in Inishmore’s history and coastal landscape. You can also include tours offered by the visitor centre in your plans.

Another historic stop is Teampall Bheanáin: the small church sits high on the ridge above Cuan Chill Éinne (Cill Éinne Bay). It is a state-owned National Monument maintained by the Office of Public Works. Reaching it involves a short climb over steep, rising ground. Take this terrain into account when adding the site to your activities.

At Na Seacht dTeampaill, two churches still remain: Teampall Bhreacáin (St Brecan’s Church) and Teampall an Phoill (The Church of the Hollow). In the Middle Ages, Na Seacht dTeampaill was probably the most important pilgrimage site on the Aran Islands. The surviving churches and the site’s historical significance offer another way to explore the island’s history.

Coast, wildlife and nature

Kilmurvey Beach is a sandy beach on the north coast of Inis Mór. Lifeguards patrol it during the bathing season. Several rare plant species listed in the Red Data Book are found in the area around the beach; its birdlife is also known for its international significance. This part of the island therefore combines the beach with opportunities for nature watching, without limiting both to the same activity.

Near Kilmurvey Beach, a grey seal colony can be watched basking on the rocks at low tide. Beside the Inis Mór Seal Colony is a small lake that is home to wild swans, ducks and rare birds. Those interested in wildlife will find a range of habitats and things to observe here. The tide is an important factor for the seal watching described here.

Poll na bPéist, known as The Wormhole, also reveals a distinctive feature of the Atlantic coast: the ocean has carved a rectangular pool out of the rock. Aran Off Road Experience offers guided walks to Poll na bPéist. This is one way to discover this natural feature on a guided excursion. In the waters around Dive Aran, marine life includes sea anemones, corals, dolphins, seals and dogfish.

Getting around Inis Mór

Lúb Dún Eochla is an 8.9 km circular walking trail on Inis Mór. If you plan to walk it, allow for the full loop in your day’s itinerary. For a different way to experience the island, Aran Pony & Trap offers a traditional pony-and-trap tour of Inis Mór. Thomas continues a family tradition that dates back to the 1940s.

Diving can also be a highlight of your stay: Dive Aran offers diving experiences in the Atlantic around Inis Mór, as well as PADI diving courses for children and adults of all experience levels. For a trip out to sea, there are both diving experiences and courses for a range of experience levels. Those who would rather explore local cuisine can find locally caught lobster and crab at Tí Joe Watty’s Bar & Restaurant on Inis Mór.

Inis Mór is accessible by passenger ferry or plane. When looking for a holiday rental or holiday home on Inishmore, you can start by deciding what you would most like to focus on: historic sites, the beach and wildlife, a walk, a diving course or a pony-and-trap tour.

More destinations: Dunmore, Moyard, Inishbofin, Clonbur, Tuam, Monard, Portumna, Gort.

For the broader travel overview: Galway.