INIS MEAIN BEO
Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Méain is a community development organisation on Inis Meáin, Aran Islands. It was founded in 2016 to help promote the island, ensure services, preserve the language, attract funding and help ensure a better life for the community of Inis Meáin.
Inis Meáin has captivated and influenced many language scholars, literary greats and pioneers of national movement through the ages, as well as early settlers gifting us with architectural marvel spanning 6,000 years.
We hope that you take some of this inspiration with you upon your visit to Inis Meáin!
Welcome to Inis Meáin
Inis Meáin is the middle of the three Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. A jewel on the Atlantic where our language and culture are preserved in a safe and serene surrounding. One will receive a great welcome from the locals.
There is a population of 183 on the island, a number which has grown in recent years. The traditions, language and culture have survived on Inis Meain because of the strength and pride of its people. Inis Meáin is recognised as the least spoilt of the Aran Islands where Irish is still spoken in the purest form.
Local amenities include a primary and secondary school, health centre, shop, post office, church, knitwear factory, pub, restaurants, guesthouses, football pitch, astroturf, playground and beaches along with rich and diverse flora and Fauna.
For many people, Inis Meáin is their home away from home.
High-quality accommodation is the key to a memorable holiday and Inis Meain has something to suit every personality and pocket. Suites, B&B’s and self-catering options are all available.
Accommodation
A visit to Inis Meáin isn’t complete unless you try our “world famous”, seaweed fertilised island potatoes, along with some delicious crab claws!
Dining
One can travel to Inis Meáin can by ferry from Ros a Mhíle or Doolin and by plane. Explore the beauty of Inis Meáin by foot or bike. Taxi service is also available.
Travel
Fall in love with what Inis Meáin has to offer by taking one of the three looped walks – Each walk begins and ends at the harbour, An Caladh Mór, and are clearly marked along the way.
Loop Walks
Gaeilge Inis Meáin is Inis Meáin’s only Irish College, which caters for both adults and teenagers. Inis Meáin’s Irish is well known and among those who came to the island to improve their Irish were Eoin Mac Néill, Pádraig Mac Piarais, J.M. Synge and Éamon de Valera.
Gaeilge
Inis Meáin has some truly breathtaking attractions such as the world-famous Synge’s chair, Harry Clarke stained-glass windows in the church as well as the magnificent cliffs “Next stop America”.
Attractions
Tit in grá leis na radharcanna atá le. tairiscint ag Inis Meáin ar cheann de na tri shiúlóidi lúbtha atá leagtha amach ar an oileán. Tosaionn agus criochnaionn chuile shiúloid ag céibh an Chaladh Mhóir agus tá treoir do gach siúlóid le feiceáil go soiléar ar an mbealach. Féach an rannog "Lúb-shiúlóidi" le h-eolas
a fháil ar na siúlóidí, chomh maith le reoir agus mapaí.
Lúb Siúlóidí
Is í Gaeilge Inis Meáin an Coláiste Gaeilge atá ar an oileán a fhreastalaíonn ar dhaoine fásta agus ar dhéagóirí. Tá cliú agus cáil ar Inis Meáin mar Ghaeltacht agus ina measc siúd a tháinig go hInis Meáin chun feabhas a chuir ar a gcuid Gaeilge bhí Eoin Mac Néill, Pádraig Mac Piarais, J.M. Synge agus Éamon de Valera. Tá tuilleadh eolais ar na cúrsaí Gaeilge ar fáil anseo: https://gaeilgeinismeain.wixsite.com/mysite
Gaeilge Inis Meáin
Tá nithe tarraingteach ag baint le stair an oileáin ar nós Cathaoir Synge, a bhfuil cáil dhomhanda air, fuinneoga daite Harry Clarke sa séipeál chomh maith leis na haillte iontacha atá amuigh ó dheas. Féach an rannóg “Le feiceáil ar Inis Meáin” le tuilleadh sonraí
Le Feiceail ar Inis Meáin
Tit in grá leis na radharcanna atá le. tairiscint ag Inis Meáin ar cheann de na tri shiúlóidi lúbtha atá leagtha amach ar an oileán. Tosaionn agus criochnaionn chuile shiúloid ag céibh an Chaladh Mhóir agus tá treoir do gach siúlóid le feiceáil go soiléar ar an mbealach. Féach an rannog "Lúb-shiúlóidi" le h-eolas
a fháil ar na siúlóidí, chomh maith le reoir agus mapaí.
Lúb Siúlóidí
Is í Gaeilge Inis Meáin an Coláiste Gaeilge atá ar an oileán a fhreastalaíonn ar dhaoine fásta agus ar dhéagóirí. Tá cliú agus cáil ar Inis Meáin mar Ghaeltacht agus ina measc siúd a tháinig go hInis Meáin chun feabhas a chuir ar a gcuid Gaeilge bhí Eoin Mac Néill, Pádraig Mac Piarais, J.M. Synge agus Éamon de Valera. Tá tuilleadh eolais ar na cúrsaí Gaeilge ar fáil anseo: https://gaeilgeinismeain.wixsite.com/mysite
Gaeilge Inis Meáin
Tá nithe tarraingteach ag baint le stair an oileáin ar nós Cathaoir Synge, a bhfuil cáil dhomhanda air, fuinneoga daite Harry Clarke sa séipeál chomh maith leis na haillte iontacha atá amuigh ó dheas. Féach an rannóg “Le feiceáil ar Inis Meáin” le tuilleadh sonraí
Le Feiceáil ar Inis Meáin
“GAEILGE INIS MEÁIN” IS INIS MEÁIN’S IRISH COLLEGE.
Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin works to promote the Irish language and does so by hosting Irish courses for both adults and teenagers which run throughout the summer months each year. We cater for all levels from beginners to fluent Irish speakers.
Learn our native language in the purest Irish-speaking region in the country.
Join us and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Patrick Pease, John Millington Synge, Eoin McNeill, Douglas Hyde, William Butler Yeats, Lady Gregory, Eamon De Valera and many others , all who came to Inis Meáin to improve their Irish.
More information on the courses available HERE
Restaurant
Bialann agus seomra só Inis Meáin
An Dún
Lunch and dinner available throughout the day / Booking essential for dinner
Phone: 087 6806251
Website: inismeainaccommodation.ie
DURATION: 2 HR 30 MIN
Terrain: Surface Roads
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Ascent: 90m
8KM
Easy
Generally flat trails with a smooth surface and some gentle slopes or shallow steps. These trails are generally suitable for family groups including children and older people. Normal outdoor footwear can be worn.
Lúb Dún Chonchuir
DURATION: 4 HR 30 MINS
Terrain: Surface Roads
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Ascent: 450m
13KM
Moderate
These trails may have some climbs and may have an uneven surface where the going is rough underfoot with some obstacles such as protruding roots, rocks, etc. The routes are appropriate for people with a moderate level of fitness and some walking experience. Specific outdoor walking footwear and clothing is recommended.
Lúb Dún Fearbhaí
DURATION: 3 HR 30 MIN
Terrain: Surface Roads
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Ascent: 120m
10KM
Easy
Generally flat trails with a smooth surface and some gentle slopes or shallow steps. These trails are generally suitable for family groups including children and older people. Normal outdoor footwear can be worn.
Lúb Cill Cheannannach
Loop Walks
The three walks start at the Great Wharf
GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND
Taxi
Bridín
087 2482637
Taxi
Michael
087 6526263
Bicycle
Máirtín Ó Fátharta
087 9728796
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Keep Inis Meáin litter free, please dispose of your rubbish in bins provided- Preferably bring a reusable water bottle and hot cup with you on your visit to help reduce rubbish left on the island.
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Please do not climb or remove any part of ancient or sacred sites on Inis Meáin
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Cycle safely in single file and keep to the left at all times
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Avoid picking flowers, some are very rare and protected by law
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Be sensitive to the host community and observe people’s privacy
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Please do not build replica dolmens or standing stone on the island
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Please stay on roads and trails and avoid knocking dry stone walls
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Do not interfere with any fishing equipment or any other equipment left at the piers.
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Please do not light fires on farmlands or beaches – this poses a health and safety risk to farm animals and other users.
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Beware of the danger & power of the sea – Never turn your back on the sea while exploring the Island.
INIS MEÁIN VISITORS CODE
It is possible to travel to Inis Meáin by boat from Ros a Mhíle or Doolin and by plane.
FLIGHTS
https://aerarannislands.ie (Flight to Inis Meáin)
FERRIES
https://www.aranislandferries.com (Ferry from Ros a Mhile)
https://www.doolin2aranferries.com (Ferry from Doolin)
https://doolinferry.com (Ferry from Doolin)
TRAVELING TO THE ISLAND
WHAT TO SEE ON THE ISLAND
John Millington Synge, the well-known Anglo-Irish author and playwright, stayed in this cottage every summer from 1898 to 1902. He stayed with the McDonagh family in this house when he visited Inis Meáin.
J.M. Synge wasn’t the only person to spend time in this house. Amongst the guests were Patrick Pearse, Lady Gregory, Éamon de Valera and Eoin Mac Néill.
Refurbishments were carried out in recent years and the house is open to visitors during the summer months.
SYNGE’S COTTAGE
This was Synge’s favourite seat, which has superb views across the sound to Inis Mór. Synge used to sit here on the cliff-edge on the west of the island. Synge was mesmerized by the sea and he got a lot of inspiration for his plays from this spot.
If you walk just a little further south, you can look over the big west-facing cliffs of Inis Meáin.
SYNGE’S CHAIR
The name may mean ‘’church of the Canons” or may refer to St. Gregory Cheannfhionnadh, the ‘fair-headed. The church is a typical 8th-9th century stone building and is complete except for the roof, which must have been wood-framed. It is surrounded by grave slabs and it was here that the island buried its people until 50 years ago.
Cill Cheannach
Accommodation - B&B