Right so… now that we are back to some sort of normality, let’s get planning your next holiday. September is a great time for an island escape in Aran. In case you didn’t know, we have our very own weather system out here on the rock and September can be one of our nicest months weather-wise on Inis Mór …. so get packing and #MakeABreakForIt !
Here’s our Top 10 things to do on the Aran Islands for under €50 in September to help you make the very most of your September Staycation.
VIEW FROM ONE OF THE SEAVIEW CHALETS AT THE ARAN ISLANDS HOTEL
1. Seaview Chalet at The Aran Islands Hotel – €45 per night*
Number one just has to be experiencing a Seaview Chalet at the Aran Islands Hotel. So here’s the deal … when you book 2 nights midweek in September, you get an extra night FREE! Your 3-night stay then works out at just €45 per person per night, which is AMAZING value. Just imagine staying in a stunning Seaview Chalet with a deck to chill out and enjoy the spectacular Wild Atlantic Views.
*T&Cs apply, subject to availability. Applies to midweek dates in September when using discount code September2+1 on your online booking.Check out this offer HEREBook your Island Escape HERE
INTERIOR OF SEAVIEW BEDROOM CHALET AT THE ARAN ISLANDS HOTEL
2. Fishing Trip with Galway Bay Fishing – €50
Have you ever dreamed of being on a boat in Galway Bay for the day? And perhaps catch a few fish along the way? Well Galway Bay Fishing do weekly fishing trips from Kilronan Pier on Inis Mór, which is a unique and novel way to experience sea fishing while exploring all the bay has to offer. Suitable for all ages and skill levels and is just €50 for a very authentic Irish fishing experience.
Available Wednesdays 10am-1.30pm during September and needs to be pre-booked with Kevin on 086 854 7890.
DELIGHTED WITH THE CATCH ON A FISHING TRIP WITH GALWAY BAY FISHING.
3. Picnic or a romantic stroll on Kilmurvey Beach
Just before you reach Dun Aonghasa, you will pass one of our favourite beaches on the island, Kilmurvey Beach. Such a stunning place for a picnic, romantic stroll or for a salty dip, just like Rozanna Purcell did on her recent visit to Inis Mór.
ROZANNA PURCELL SHARED THIS PICTURE ON HER INSTAGRAM, BASKING IN THE SUN WHILE ENJOYING A SWIM ON KILMURVEY BEACH, INIS MÓR
4. Island Tour & Sing-Song with Michael Muldoon – €15
You haven’t done a tour of the island until you’ve done it by bus with Michael Muldoon. Michael is gas craic and has been known to break into song while telling his tales of Inis Mór from years gone by.
The tour is great value at just €15 per person, book in advance directly with Micheál on 087 284 1693.
MICHAEL’S ISLAND BUS TOUR CAN INCLUDE A VISIT TO THE WORM HOLE, MADE FAMOUS BY THE RED BULL DIVING COMPETITION WHICH WAS HELD HERE IN 2014 & 2017.
5. Off road experience – €35
Take the road less travelled with Aran Off Road Experience. Travelling in their customised 12 seater Land Rover Defender 4×4 Jeep means you can access the most remote parts of Inis Mór. Run by local islanders, Pádraig and Aonghus Hernon, you get a great sense of their own genuine grá (love) for their island home. It is such a unique experience as the Land Rover Jeep can take you on roads and visit places no other vehicle or tour operator can. You can choose from a day, evening or private tour and feel at ease as the jeep has 2 socially distant cabins on board.
When you book in advance, the lads can pick you up from the ferry port or at your accommodation. Get in touch with Pádraig on 085 783 4466 or [email protected]
THIS UNIQUE OFF ROAD JEEP IS A GREAT WAY TO ACCESS THE MOST REMOTE PARTS OF OUR BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
6. Island Food Tour with Gabriel Ó’Fátharta – €30
If you consider yourself a foodie, then listen up … Gabriel Ó’Fátharta of Aran Islands Goat’s Cheese fame does amazing Island Food tours which “are a celebration of all that is best on Inis Mór”. The tour includes a visit to Gabriel’s farm to meet the baby goats and taste the cheese, foraging for seaweed along the shore and a decadent freshly made and locally sourced lunch. The Island food tour costs €30 per person, advance booking is essential.
Call Gabriel on 087 222 6776 to book your Island Food Tour in advance.
EXPERIENCE THE GOURMET DELIGHTS OUR ISLAND HAS TO OFFER, INCLUDING ARAN ISLANDS GOATS CHEESE | CÁIS GABHAR ÁRANN
7. Snorkeling Adventure with Dive Academy – €45
Snorkelling is an adventure sport that gives you an instant rush of adrenaline because you never know what you are going to encounter underwater. You will be looked after well by the friendly crew at Dive Academy who specialise in first time snorkelers. Snorkeling can be easily enjoyed by the whole family – children, parents and even grandparents! For €45 you will get use of a wetsuit, guidance from qualified divers, masks, snorkel and fins for your 1 hour 30 mins adventure in the underwater world.
Book with Dive Academy in advance on 085 7257260.
SNORKELING IS FUN FOR ALL AGES. INIS MÓR IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO SEE LOTS OF VIBRANT UNDERWATER LIFE WITH ITS CRYSTAL CLEAR TURQUOISE CALM WATER.
8. Horse & Cart Trip of the Island – €30
Exploring the island by horse & cart is a great way to see all the top sites and get those all-important island selfies. When you book in advance, you will be picked up at the ferry port and whisked away on your tour of the island including; old thatch cottages, seal colony, seaweed factory, bird sanctuary, beaches, craft village and more.
Our top tip for guests staying overnight is to book an evening horse & cart tour with Thomas Faherty. It starts at 4.30pm, just as the last boats (& all the visitors) leave the island. So you basically get the island and all the attractions to yourself. It’s a very relaxing way to immerse yourself into island life, without the hustle and bustle of the day-trippers.
To book in advance of your visit, get in touch with Thomas or Niamh on 099 61292 or by email on [email protected]
RUSH HOUR ON INIS MÓR DURING A HORSE & CART TOUR.
9. Visit the 7 churches
This hidden gem has been described as a time capsule. It is one of the earliest Irish pilgrimage sites. FUN FACT, there are actually only two churches on the site, surrounded by the footprints of a number of monastic dwellings.
Speaking of churches, you may also like to experience mass in Irish / ‘as gaeilge’ while you are staying on Inis Mór. Sunday mass in Cill Rónáin is at 11am.
10. Take the plane – €49 return flight
Why not travel in style and choose to fly, especially if this is not your first time to Aran… mix it up! Do you know that it takes just 7 mins to fly to Inis Mór? Quick isn’t it! You get the flight at the airport in Inverin, Connemara, just 35 minutes from Galway City.
Top Tip for visitors over 66, you may be able to travel to Aran by boat for FREE or by plane for just €15, under the Free Travel Scheme. Plus you may be eligible for a free Travel Companion Pass. Check with the provider when you are booking your travel.
Book your flights on aerarannislands.ie or 091 593034