Hi, we will be in Ireland late September/early October. Because of our schedule we will only have 1 full day in Galway. We are torn between spending it in Aran Islands or driving around the Connemara region. Obviously if weather is bad we wouldn't go to the Aran Islands, but just curious as to what people who have been to both would recommend more if only able to see one this trip. We will be in Galway very start of October.
Thank you for any advice you can give!
Veronica
Posted by
1172 posts
Because the weather was awful, we did not go to the Aran Islands but I would have loved to. We did drive around the Connamera region and it was pretty but If I had to choose between Connamera and Aran islands, I would for sure pick the Arn Islands. Are you also planning on exploring Galway itself? We enjoyed the pedestrian streets, shops, restaurants and cafes as well
Posted by
Westford, MA, USA
567 posts
On the RS tour the Aran Islands was one of the highlights for me. Of course Connemara is beautiful but you'll still
a lot of countryside and all during your travel, so I'd go the Islands.
Posted by
OP
11 posts
Ok thank you both for your replies! Diane, quick question since you were able to go to Aran Islands - by any chance did you notice if the ferrys had seating outside? I ask because I have a fear of being in a boat and getting trapped (i know i am ridiculous but it is a very big fear of mine). I just wasn't sure if outside seating was an option. My husband and I were both thinking that we would prefer to go to the Islands, but I wanted to know in advance what I will be getting into as far as the ferry ride there and back.
Also, should I book the tickets in advance or do you think because of weather being a factor and possibly not being able to go for that reason that we will be okay purchasing tickets day of trip?
Posted by
Portland, OR
238 posts
We enjoyed both the drive through Connemarra AND the trip to Inishmore (the largest of the Aran Islands) very much. As you said, a lot depends on the weather but if it is good (and our mid-September weather was quite nice) I'd go with the trip to Inishmore. For one thing no one has to drive--American drivers in Ireland usually miss some of the scenery because they have to watch the road so carefully. And, although Connemara is wonderful, the scenery on Inishmore is well worth seeing too. When you get off the ferry you can opt for a minivan tour, a horse cart tour, rent bicycles or just hike around. As for the ferry ride itself, we thought it was rather fun. As I remember, there was no outdoor seating though--and I expect it would be pretty cold if there was. One tip about the ride--it is much smoother if you sit in the lower level seats toward the back. On the trip over we sat in the upper area in the front and it was fairly bumpy. It's not a terribly long ride--maybe 30-40 minutes. We booked our passage two days ahead after checking on the likely weather, but there were people on the ferry with us who just walked up and bought a ticket. I don't imagine that October is as busy a time as summer would be.