Aran Islands

Take an Aer Arann flight from Connemara Airport in Inverin, and in less than 10 minutes you will be touching down on Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay. You can also take a ferry from Galway or Dooling to the islands, but the aerial route is more exciting, as you get a top view of the stunning stone formations on the islands, as well as the breath-taking cliffs. Inishmore is home to several Iron Age forts, including the impressive ruins of Dun Aengus, which stands in a neat semi-circle at the edge of a 100-metre tall cliff. It’s an easy hike up to the fort, past emerald green fields, a complex defensive network of stones (chevaux de frise) and three terraced walls. In the innermost enclosure stands a natural rock platform, probably used for ritualistic purposes, and beyond it is a sheer drop of the cliff. You can get gorgeous views of the Atlantic from the fort. Another stone ring fort, Dun Eochla stands on Inishmore. The smaller islands are Inishmaan and Inisheer, which are also home to several ancient archaeological sites. All three islands are known for their traditional Irish way of life. The Aran Islands Hotel on Inishmore is an excellent base from where you can easily explore all the three islands.