Inis Mor is the largest of the Aran Islands. For years it has been one of Ireland’s hidden gems but due to a push by the nation’s tourism authority, more people are learning about it and subsequently visiting than ever before. In truth, Inis Mor has everything you could want from a holiday destination; there is rugged beauty, hiking trails and ancient history. Inis Mor even has its own World Heritage site.

If you are interested in exploring Inis Mor then this post will tell you how to get there, what to know and what you should do:

Travelling There

Travelling to Inis Mor can be very exciting; if you have never been before then you will be pleased to know that you take a ferry to the island from nearby Doolin. Doolin’s streets are lined with ancient buildings, pubs and sites of interest. Inis Mor sits on the Atlantic Ocean which makes the ferry there a lot of fun as you can actually see all kinds of marine life if you stand by the side of the ferry and look over the edge. If you are planning on travelling to Inis Mor then it is a good idea to book your tickets in advance. Do not wait until the day you are supposed to travel to try and secure ferry tickets. The island’s tourist board has done a good job of encouraging people to come so you might find there are no seats left for you.

Meeting Locals

The activity most travellers to Inis Mor prioritise is seeing the island’s World Heritage site. However, an activity that is just as entertaining and a lot more pleasant in wet and windy weather is sitting down with and getting to know the locals. There are a number of pubs on Inis Mor, all open to travellers. Since the islanders are making a real effort to encourage tourists to come and visit going to the local pub will make them very happy. In some remote island chains, locals are sceptical of tourists but not the people from Inis Mor.

Heritage Sites

As mentioned in the previous paragraph and the introduction Inis Mor is home to an interesting, ancient World Heritage site. In addition to the World Heritage site Inis Mor also has several more ancient heritage sites. Inis Mor has been continuously occupied for thousands of years which is why there are so many ancient monuments, sites and buildings there. Many of these do not require a ticket for entry although locals do ask for small donations; making a small donation helps to keep the sites that you are visiting maintained.

Walking Trails

All around the island there are walking trails. If you are somebody who enjoys hiking then you will find these a great way to spend your time. Bear in mind that as it is a small island small divergences from the walking route can take you off into people’s backyards and farms. Make a real effort to stick to the track so this does not happen. Never cross any fence lines or boundaries either. Trespassing is not going to get you arrested but it can give tourists like yourself a bad reputation with the islanders. Separating from the track can lead to you getting lost too.

Beautiful Scenery

Unsurprisingly Inis Mor is home to some of Ireland’s most incredible views. The island has all kinds of beautiful walking trails, hills and ancient monuments as well as breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean. Many people consider it to be the most beautiful place in all of Ireland. Make sure to create a travel itinerary so you know what each day’s activities are before travelling. If you do not create an itinerary for yourself then rather than walking up with a clear direction in mind each morning you will be confused and anxious.

Outdoor Sports

Something a lot of people do not know is that Inis Mor’s locals are sports fanatics. There are a few different teams you can play with and local facilities for sports. The activity most popular however is fishing. As the island is situated on the Atlantic Ocean you can catch some incredible fish there. If you do plan on going fishing then you may need a permit in addition to sea fishing equipment. Make sure that you only fish in safe areas and never venture out onto rocky peninsulas alone. There are a few beaches that you can fish from safely.

Inis Mor is becoming more and more popular with tourists to Ireland and when you consider everything there is to do there it is not hard to see why. Be sure to give the other islands that make up the Aran Islands consideration too as some of them are just as interesting.