Unique Sights Around the Aran Islands

An Overview of the Aran Islands

The fantastic Aran Islands are a trinity of rocky isles found near the mouth of Galway Bay in Western Ireland. The islands spent centuries as unique fishing communities with wild landscapes, distinct stacked-stone walls and powerful winds. One of the most striking features around the islands are the endless stone walls which make numerous pens. These constructs anchor seaweed-enriched soil to create farming and grazing lands. Among the three islands, Inishmore (Inis Mór) is the largest, with Inishmaan (Inis Meáin) being the middle and Inisheer (Inis Oírr) as the smallest. Each island is home to preserved Irish heritage and numerous, distinct ruins, providing many unique sights around the Aran Islands.

The Aran Islands can easily be reached by ferries from the mainland town of Doolin, though ferries are subject to schedule changes based on weather and winds. Note that many guests choose to explore the islands on horse carts, but most of the roads are walkable. Each island merits a day or so of exploration, with many unique sights around each one.

Unique Sights Around the Aran Islands

Inishmore

Poll na bPéist – The Wormhole

This is an entirely unique geological formation. Also called The Serpent’s Lair, this is a striking, rectangular pool created entirely by nature despite its geometric shape. The pool is filled by powerful underwater tidal currents, making swimming within enormously dangerous. During high tides, water may foam into the geometric, geological feature, making this one of the most unique sights around the Aran Islands.

Dún Dúchathair (Black Fort)

This is a large, largely-intact stone fort found upon the cliffs of Cill Éinne in Inishmore. The structure sits on terraced walls leading out to see creating a unique fortification of black limestone pressed against a cliff.

Dún Eochla

Located in the middle of the island near the small village of Eochaill, this is a superb stone ring fort with stacked walls and a megalithic tomb nearby.

Dún Aonghasa

Often accented by herds of ranging, grazing cattle, this is a prehistoric stone wall fortification gazing into the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can wander the ruins and learn more at the on-site visitor center nearby.

Na Seacht dTeampaill – The Seven Churches

This is one of the biggest monastic foundations found on the Aran Islands. The crumbling stone buildings were a destination for pilgrimages since their construction in the 7th or 8th-centuries. There are actually only two churches at this site. The Church of the Hollow (‘Teampall an Phoill’) and St. Breacan’s Church (‘Tempall Bhreacán) The other nearby structures are thought to be lodging buildings for pilgrims.

Dún Eoghanachta

This is a large stone fort made from two circular terraced stone walls on a wide field of grass.

Clochan na Carraige

This structure is a vital example of a stone-beehive hut, a unique archeological design native to Ireland. The dry-stone beehive shape is made of an oval structure with a corbelled roof.

Kilmurvey Beach

This is a narrow, sheltered beach with brilliant white sands and Blue Flag status. The beach is ringed by low walls and short grasses.

Liam O’Flaherty Commemorative Garden

This lovely garden filled with a few stone features and sculptures is dedicated to author Liam O’Flaherty, who wrote numerous short stories about life on his native Aran Islands.

Teampall Bheanáin

This is a unique Celtic Church structure which once stood as part of an original monastic settlement founded by Benen, a disciple of Saint Patrick.

Iaráirne

Found in the quite town of Eararna, this is a large, stone cross overlooking nearby fields. The landmark is located close to the ruins of Saint Enda’s Monastery.

Seal Colony Viewpoint

Located near a series of small, stair-like cliffs, this is an excellent place to spot a colony of seals. The seals are easiest to see two hours before or two hours after high tide. This is when the seal colony returns from their oceanic hunts and they linger on shore or in the shallows.

Gort Na gCapall

This is a small town on the island, famed as the birthplace of short-story author Liam O’Flaherty.

Inishmaan

Cathaoir Synge

Near the western Cliffs on Inishmaan, this small pile of stones overlooking the vast waters below is associated with Irish writer J.M. Synge.

Teach Synge – Synge’s Cottage

This is a 300-year-old cottage and museum dedicated to J.M. Synge found near the center of the island.

Dún Fearbhaí

This is a stone ringfort and National Monument overlooking the old pier from a slight hill. The fort, which is often overseen by a mall herd of goats, is the little brother of Dun Chonchuir found a few hundred meters to the West.

Dún Chonchúir

This is an impressive, intact fort which offers excellent views overlooking the island. Though guests can approach the fort, caution is warranted as many stones are loose.

An Clochán Ancient Monastic Hut)

Caked in native grasses and bits of foliage, this is an ancient beehive hut with a partially-intact roof.

The Flaggy Shore

This is a small, scenic hiking area found on the south side of the island.

Leaba Dhiarmada ‘is Ghráinne (Bed of Diarmuid and Gráinne)

Also known as the Carrownlinsheen Wedge Tomb, this unique tomb is made from a pair of horizontal stones in a quiet part of the island. This landmark may be hard to find, but locals are often happy to provide directions.

Inisheer

Inis Oirr (Inisheer) Lighthouse

While not accessible to the public, the black and white landmark is still an artistic sight aginst the backdrop of the ocean. Visitors are able to walk around the outer wall to the sea, where there are cliffside viewpoints overlooking the famed Cliffs of Moher.

Tobar Einne (Sacred Well)

This is a quiet sacred well, rumored to never run dry. The well was supposedly blessed by St. Enda after the well sprung up near him during prayers. The waters are said to have healing powers.

Church of the Seven Sisters

This is an ancient Christian site filled with worn stones.

An Tur Faire (Tower Ruin)

This blocky stone tower stands as the highest point on the island. The structure was the centerpiece and overwatch point for a series of defenses built by Westminster during the Napoleonic Wars. There were fears that France might invade the Kingdom from the west, as Ireland had been stormed during a French invasion in 1798, known as Humbert’s Expedition.

Plassey Shipwreck

In March of 1960, the freighter Plassey was caught in a severe storm and driven into Finnis Rock on Inisheer Island. Though the crew was entirely saved by locals of Inisheer island, the vessel was banned from sailing forevermore. Now, the hulking, rusted wreck of the MV Plassey sits amongst gulls and stones, battered by strong island winds. Entering the wreck is illegal, as its interior isn’t stable.

Teampall Caomhán

This is a ruined churchbuilt at the location of Saint Kevin’s grave. The church was nearly buried by drifting sands, but has since been excavated. The ruins, surrounded by walls and green hills, looks like a building mostly sunken into the ground.

O’Brien’s Castle

This is a beautiful, semi-intact castle ringfort which was built by Clann Teige, a branch of the powerful O’Brien dynasty. The castle was taken by Oliver Cromwell’s army in 1652 during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. The castle can be explored within, but some of the stones are loose, so caution is warranted.

Trá Inis Oirr

This is a beautiful beach surrounded by low sand dunes, long, windswept grasses and churning blue waters.

Cnoc Raithní

Cnoc Raithni is a tumulus, or burial mound, monument made with two standing stones.

Cill Ghobnait (Church Ruin)

This is a small temple ruin found close to the island docks.

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