Inishmore (Aran Island) Help please asap!

Posted by Linda (Los Angeles, CA, USA) on 08/02/19 01:01 AM

Hello!
Help, I need quick advice! Leaving Saturday for our 4th trip to Ireland. We are staying 3 nights in Galway (I've been, he hasn't) and I was planning on going one of those days out to Inishmore.

Question 1: I was going to wing it, depending on the weather, and just buy the tickets once we arrive in Galway. Is that wise? Do the ferries/shuttles sell out? (we won't have our car yet)
Question 2: my guy is not an early riser, I see that there is a 11:45 sailing listed when I go to order tickets online (instead of Rick's recommended 9:00/10:30) with a return sailing leaving at 6:30. Is that still enough time to experience the island? Too much time? We'd arrive at 12:30, so that's 6 hrs! Seems like plenty!
Question 3: the ferry site says to board bus 90 minutes before the sailing, so is it safe to assume our shuttle leaves at 10:15?
Question 4 and, perhaps, most important: What happens if it's raining? Do they cancel the morning of? Do you still go and just wander around in the rain? Does it depend if it's a downpour or not? Money returned? (I can't find a FAQ on their site)
Question 5: Safe to assume that even for the later arrival time, there are always tour vans waiting to take you around?

THANK YOU SO MUCH, my lovely RS fans! I so appreciate your help, now, and from all of my previous trips!
Happy traveling!

Posted by Carol now retired

Lynnwood, Washington

08/02/19 03:11 AM

8880 posts

This was one of my favorite places in Ireland. It is worth getting up for, even if you aren't usually an early riser. I would spend the night in the Aran Islands over Galway any day of the week!

There are shuttles and everything you need to make this trip work for you on each ferry. I'm assuming that on any trip to Ireland people pack rain gear. If it rains, just go and have fun.

Posted by Robert

Colorado Springs

08/02/19 03:48 AM

2980 posts

You're well advised to wait until a day or two before committing yourself so you can get the most updated weather forecast. Better to go on a sunny day obviously.
The ferry hardly ever sells out.
It's a ferry - not a tour. It sails rain or shine. The only time it will cancel will be in the event of high sea states. The boats are sizeable craft, ie greater than 100 ft. in length, which means they can take some pretty rough conditions ... rougher than you or I would want to be on the boat for at any rate.
Upon arrival there will be a lineup of vans and jaunting cars as you exit the pier - just select whichever one appeals to you and hop aboard.

Posted by Cyn

Colorado Mountains, USA

08/02/19 06:48 AM

7937 posts

Two trips to Ireland, and both included an overnight trip to Inishmore. Definitely worth the visit.

In retrospect, it seems boat delays or cancellations are handled on a case by case basis, depending on severity of storms and waves. They try to sail as much as possible, but on both trips (one in June, one in September) weather affected boats both times.

First trip, we were traveling by bicycle, and took our bikes on the ferry, then having them with us on the island. Plenty of drivers were present for those who weren’t pedaling. But it was stormy the morning we were to go back to the mainland, and ferry sailings were delayed, but we eventually got back, later than expected.

Second trip, last September, we used the fast, reliable, good value flight. Really easy, and the airplane is really the way to go. After landing, we encountered another couple (who’d come by ferry) and shared a driver and van with them, getting a real bonus tour, including a guided trek to The Worm Hole. The next morning, it absolutely poured rain, and sideways wind destroyed the flowers in front of our B&B. Rough seas cancelled all boats until late afternoon, and there was a lot of doubt if there would be sailings at all. Nobody showed up from the mainland by boat all day. We stayed inside our B&B rather than get drenched, having been around much of Inishmore the day before. We’d planned a late afternoon flight anyway, and we took off before the ferries took anyone back. Fly - it’s the way to go, and faster for later departures . . . unless you really have a thing for ferry shuttles, or if you need to save every penny, no matter what.