From Irish mainland to Inis Oirr
This stage can be achieved either by sea or air.
There are two ferry routes, one departing from Doolin in County Clare, and one from Rosaveal in County Galway. The shorter boat journey (ca.20mins) is from Doolin, but in very rough sea conditions delays are possible. The Rosaveal journey is longer (ca. 80 mins) and calls at Inis Meain on route, but ferries here can travel in all but severe storm conditions.
FROM DOOLIN
- O’Brien Line, phone: +353 65 707 5555
- Doolin Ferry, phone: +353 65 7074 455
FROM ROSSAVEAL
- Aran Island Ferries, phone: +353 91 561767
A small local airline called Aer Aran Islands operates a daily service to Inis Oirr from Connemara Airport in Inverin County Galway, and the journey takes around 10 mins. In very bad weather conditions, flights may be suspended, but this is infrequent.
FROM CONNEMARA AIRPORT
- Aer Aran Islands, phone +353 91 593034
From elsewhere in Ireland to Doolin, Rosaveal, Inverin
Those who have their own car, or have hired one, can drive to any of the three destinations, and leave their vehicle there. The routes can be seen on any good road map of Ireland.
Galway can be reached by train or bus from Dublin, and by bus from Shannon Airport. Changing at Galway, buses of the ferry company or the airline then travel to Rosaveal or Inverin.
Doolin can be reached by bus from Dublin or Shannon airport.
Taxis can also be used for travel within Ireland but will be very expensive for long journeys.
Into Ireland from other countries
The two main options here are either ferries from UK or mainland Europe (France), or flights into Dublin or Shannon airports. It is also possible to fly into Knock in County Galway, or Belfast in Northern Ireland from some destinations.