The Aran Islands are a group of three Islands located in the mouth of Galway Bay off the West Coast of Ireland.
The largest, most populated (900 residents), most developed in terms of tourist facilities and most popular of the three Islands is Inis Mor, (Inishmore). It is approximately eight and a half miles long by two and a half miles wide and is an outdoor persons paradise, with huge craggy cliffs, sandy beaches, clear blue skies, stunning scenery and an abundance of wildlife and unusual flowers.
The Principal Village or Islands capital is Kilronan. It has it toes dipped into the Atlantic and is the point of disembarkation for tourists arriving by ferry from the mainland.
It’s a great destination for hen parties, beautiful views, old forts, wall to wall heritage, the Irish language spoken fluently, pubs where tradition drips from the walls, and a great modern hotel that serves fantastic food, provides great entertainment and craic and has an open arms policy towards Hen parties
www.aranislandshotel.comWhile a hen party visit to the Aran Islands will be something totally different and absolutely memorable, do not expect quad biking or bouncing castles.
While the Islands are about an hour to an hour and a half away from the mainland, they are well serviced by ferries running from three different ports. From the City of Galway, one ship, the Oileann Arainn services all three Islands on a daily basis although through some of the winter months the service is reduced.
From Rosaveel there are a number of boats serving all three Islands with more frequent journeys to Inis Mor. Finally from Doolin in County Clare, there are a number of boats serving all three Islands
www.doolinferries.ie
Any group of Hen Parties that are not comfortable travelling by sea have the option of flying from Galway airport, a journey of only six minutes.
www.aerarran.ie
Thatched cottages
Amazing traditional dry stone walls
Dun Aengus fort
Aran Heritage centre
Cliffs rising up 300 feet from the blue Atlantic
Sandy beaches
Amazing wildlife