Inisheer

Culture & History

You will be guided south along the Wild Atlantic Way and into the lunar-like Burren region. From there you'll head to the picturesque fishing village of Doolin where you’ll board the ferry to Inisheer (Inis Oirr) – the smallest and most vibrant of the Aran Islands. Explore Inisheer, home to ancient churches and castles, one of the Irelands most beautiful beaches, lighthouses, shipwrecks, and several cafes and pubs. You can take a pony and carriage, hire a bicycle or stroll the country roads. On your guided return journey, cruise alongside the foot of the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular journey which puts the 214m high, 8km long cliffs into perspective. Stop for a hearty meal at a traditional local pub before arriving at the Cliffs of Moher. You will receive free entry to the cliffs and the eco-sensitive visitor center. Take a stroll along the cliff edge and consider how tiny everything looks from above! Once you depart the cliffs you will take the coast road home, following the Wild Atlantic Way before one last stop at the stunning Baby Cliffs in Ballyreen where you can walk atop the Burren. Return time in Galway is approx. 7:30 PM.

Discover a unique culture, landscape and way of life on this island day trip from Galway. Sail back in time and immerse yourself in a small fishing village atmosphere. Prepare for a warm Irish welcome as you board the morning ferry from the harbor at Rossaveel. Enjoy full bar and refreshment service on this luxury vessel as you voyage out into the Atlantic. Jump off the boat when you dock and find yourself in a walker’s paradise of breath-taking scenery. Hire a bike or hop on a tour and admire spectacular flora unique to the island and area. Enjoy white sandy beaches, and visit O'Brien's Castle or the site of the Plassey Shipwreck. Relax in one of the island's bars, restaurants or tea rooms, perhaps enjoying some traditional live music. Enjoy the special atmosphere of this little island before picking up your ferry back to Rossaveel at 4:30 PM.

Depart from the Temple Gate Hotel parking lot in Ennis at 9:00 AM, with a fully qualified, local driver/guide taking you through County Clare to the picturesque village of Doolin. Board the 11:00 AM ferry sailing from Doolin to Inisheer, the smallest and closest of the Aran Islands. The ferry trip takes between 20 and 30 minutes. Once on the Island, take 2 hours to explore an ancient castle and church, shipwreck, lighthouse, beaches, cafes and pubs. Take the return ferry at 1:45 PM and on the way back sail beneath the Cliffs of Moher, subject to weather conditions. From the sea, you get a unique view of these majestic cliffs. Upon return to Doolin, re-board the tour coach and our driver/guide will take you to the top of the Cliffs of Moher to enter the eco-friendly visitors center, the Atlantic Edge. Then it’s time to sit back and relax on the return coach to Ennis arriving back between 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM.

Escape the hustle and bustle of mainland Ireland on this day trip to Inisheer from Doolin. Discover breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher, explore the island on a tractor or bike, and relax on the white sands of the island's beach. Meet your guide at Doolin Pier and hop on the ferry to Inisheer for a 15-minute journey. Take in breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher along the way and maybe even spot some of the friendly dolphins who like to ride alongside the boat. As you step onto Inisheer, you will immediately grasp what island life is all about. See horses and local farmers, hear Irish being spoken by the locals, and smell the freshest air the Atlantic Ocean can provide. Next, begin your bike tour of the island with your guide. Explore sunken graveyards, shipwrecks, castles, and much more. If you're not feeling up to a bike ride, hop on the back of a traditional Irish tractor instead to experience Inisheer from a local perspective. In peak season, finding a restaurant to sit down and eat in can be difficult. After your guided tour, head to a local cafe that has a reservation for you. No waiting in line, just walk in and enjoy. After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore the island at your own pace. You could go to the pub for a pint, check out the playground with the kids, or simply chill on the beach. At the end of the day, meet your guide back at the pier and board the ferry back to Doolin.