The Aran Islands are situated across the mouth of Galway Bay - about 30 miles from Galway City, and less than seven miles from the nearest point in either Co. Clare or Connemara. There are three islands. According to legend Galway Bay was once a large lake known as Loch Lurgan which in ancient times eroded its backs leaving the Aran Islands forever battling against the mighty waves of the Atlantic ocean.

 

Inishere (Inis Oirr: eastern island) is the nearest to the mainland, about six miles from Doolin, Co. Clare. It is the smallest of the three, roughly two square miles, with a population of approximately 300 people.

 

lnishmaan (Inis Meain - middle island) as its name suggests is the middle of the three with three miles of sea either side separating it from the other two islands. It has a population of approximately 300 people, and is three miles long by two miles wide.

 

Inishmore (Inis Mor - big island) is the largest island, eight mites long by two and a half mites wide. The islands lie in the northwestern direction across Galway Bay towards the Connemara coast, from which Inishmore is separated by approximately seven miles of sea. The population of Inishmore is approximating 900 people.

 

There are also three very small uninhabited islands in the group. These are situated close to Inishmore. The Branack Islands are two small rocky islands situated at the most western point of Inishmore There is a lighthouse on Rock Island, the most western of the two. There is also a lighthouse on Straw Island, a little island at the eastern side of Inishmore facing Kilronan.

 

Culture and way of life: The Aran Islands are widely known and attract visitors from all over the world. The unique culture and way of life of Aran continue to inspire world-famous writers and artists. These islands have become synonymous with some of the finest writers and painters of this century, among them the dramatist J.M Synge (1871- 1909), and writer Liam O'Flatherty (1896-1984), a native of lnishmore; artists like George Petrie (1789-1866), Frederick William Burton (1816-1900), Jack B. Yeats (1871-1957), Sean Keating (1889-1977), Harry Clarke (1889-1931), Maurice MacGonigal (1900-1979) and many more.

 

Aran Islands Upcoming Events

There are many exciting events throughout the year, some of which we will show here for your interest. You can find more detailed event information at www.aranislands.ie