Hello:
Where is the best location to take a day tour to the Aran Islands (specifically Inishmoor?) I have read in the guidebook most day trips depart from Galway, but is there a location within Galway from where most tours depart? Also, we are staying in a B&B in Kilrush. Is it too ambitious to drive to Galway and take an excursion to Inishmoor, all in one day? Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.
Regards, David H
Vineland, NJ
Aran Island ferries http://www.aranislandferries.com/ has a pickup point in Galway for the trip out to Inis Mor. The ferry actually departs from Rossaveal, about 45 minutes west of the city. Alternatively, you can just drive out there and park (free) for the day. The trip is weather dependent (actually it's sea-state dependent) so suggest checking the forecast a day or two before you commit.
Thanks Robert. Since the trip is weather-dependent, do you advise not booking any tour in advance? Thank you.
David H
Vineland, NJ
It is easy to book your passage online once you have a decent weather report. We waited until two days before we wanted to go and there was no problem getting a reservation. There were also walk ups the day we went and there was plenty of room for all. This was the third week in September--it might be more crowded in July and August.
Per PJ, waiting to check the weather a day or two before you propose to go is typically no problem, and yes, I'd wait until you're pretty sure to get over there before committing to any particular tour.
For info, there will be a line of mini-vans and one or two jaunting cars on the pier as you exit the ferry in Inis Mor, so it's easy to just book a tour upon arrival.
Thank you!
David - I stayed in Galway for a few days last October, then took the ferry to Inis Mor. Very easy to book a ticket online (remember the date will be given in day/month/year) then you pick up your paper confirmation ticket at the Aran Island Ferry office in Galway. Meet the bus near the Victoria Hotel then get bussed to Rossaveal and catch the ferry. If you tend to seasickness, get a patch. Nothing ruins a day like the lingering aftereffects of being sick. Super easy
Thank you.
there is also a company called something like Faherty that offers a one day inclusive tour from the bus station.(which is up near the tourist office.) Usually I prefer to make my own arrangements, but this tour impressed me as cost effective and very convenient. However, the day I wanted to go it was sold out, so I bought a ticket from the agency that runs the ferries and took the bus that departs near the VIctoria Hotel as others suggested. That was fine, but I would just observe that the inclusive tour does away with the need to buy separate tickets for each part of the day and gives you the option once you arrive of taking a van ride or renting a bike (or walking), all things you would want to do anyway but it seemed just a tad easier and did not seem to cost more than the way the rest of us did it, piece by piece. If you go on your own you will see that there are bus/van operators waiting for each ferry arrival and there are also bike rentals right there. However you get there, you will find Inishmoor a magical place, well worth the trip. You might read the Yeats poem before hand, though I did not see bean rows growing nor hear bees.
We took the one-day inclusive tour of Aran Islands by Faherty and they picked us up at our hotel. The benefit of this tour is that they provide transportation to the ferry, cover the ferry cost, and then they provided a minibus tour of the island. It is run by locals and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Ireland.
