Gach rud atá uait chun do thuras a thosú

From boats to bikes, from accommodation to a map - all the practical information for your visit to Inis Meáin, all in one place.

Don't know where to start? Get our sample itineraries

Getting to Inis Meáin

Aran Island Ferries offer a twice daily ferry service to Inis Meáin, departing from Ros a' Mhíl at 10:30 and 18:00 (18:30 on Friday).

They also offer a bus transfer service from Galway City, or parking is €8 per day.

Aran Island Ferries

Aer Árainn offer a plane service multiple times a day.

A bus transfer from the city is also available, or there is free parking at the airstrip. Additional details on their website, at the link below.

Aer Árann

Doolin Ferries are offering day trips to Inis Meáin across summer 2026, departing Doolin at 9:00 and returning at 16:30.

The dates are: April 25th, May 2nd & 23rd, June 13th, 22nd & 27th, July 25th, August 15th & 29th, September 26th.

Doolin Ferries

Book here

Timetable

Book here

Getting around the island

Available from Máirtín, beside Cois Cuan B&B.

Contact: 087 972 8796

Bikes to rent

The island is walkable, with the main village around 30 - 40 minutes walk from the quay. There are three loop walks that are outlined here.

Walking

A local taxi service.

Contact: 087 248 2637

Taxi - Brídín

A local taxi service.

Contact: 087 652 6263

Taxi - Micilín

Accommodation

Our full accommodation page provides you with every place to stay on Inis Meáin - from bed & breakfasts, self-catering and more - with contact details and additional information.

We recommend that you book early in the year, as accommodation is limited and can fill quickly during the summer and during festivals.

You can check out our full accommodation page below:

Look at accommodation options

Services on Inis Meáin

Siopa Ruaidhrí Beag

This is the only shop on the island, and you can pick up all of your essentials here. There is also a post office here.

April Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 10:30 - 13:00, 14:00 - 17:00

Sunday 12:00 - 14:00

Nurse

There is a full-time nurse on Inis Meáin. We encourage anyone coming to the island to ensure they bring all their medications, as we are not an active pharmacy. We do our best to cater for all emergencies, but regular medications should be brought by all visitors.

Teach Ósta

Full menu available on weekends, pizza and toasties during the week.

April Opening Hours:

Monday to Wednesday:

15:00 - Close

Thursday: 16:00 - 20:00

Friday: 15:00 - Close

Saturday & Sunday: 13:00 - Close

Caifé Synge

This is a coffee hut outside of the Ionad Pobail, that offers tea, coffee, and snacks.

Summer opening hours will be made available soon.

Map of Inis Meáin

An updated map was created in 2025 by a talented resident, Damien.

You can see the new version here, which includes notes on activities for adults and kids, culture, accommodation, services, and anything else that you could need.

You can also download a PDF version of the map below.

Download the map

How to spend your time on Inis Meáin

Please see below sample itineraries with recommendations of what to do on Inis Meáin. These itineraries presume that there are no events on - be sure to check out our events page, as we would frequently have music in the Teach Ósta, community events, or festivals happening.

Check out our events page

10:30 - Boat leaves Ros a Mhíl

11:15 - Arrive on Inis Meáin

12:00 - Walk to Séipéal Muire Gan Smál agus Eoin Baiste to see Harry Clarke windows. You might see some wildlife on the way!

12:30 - Teach Ósta Inis Meáin for a gorgeous lunch

14:00 - Walk over to Teach Synge and learn about J.M. Synge's time on Inis Meáin

15:00 - Climb Dún Chonchúir and get a 360 view of the island

15:30 - Pop over to the shop for a snack and a coffee

15:50 - Walk back down to the pier

16:40 - Boat leaves Inis Meáin

15:50 - Walk back down to the pier

17:30 - Boat returns to Ros a Mhíl

Friday evening 18:30 - Boat leaves Ros a Mhíl, arrives on Inis Meáin at 19:15. Music session in Teach Ósta Inis Meáin starts at 21:00/21:30

Saturday morning 9:00 flight from Conamara Airport, arriving on Inis Meáin at 9:10

11:00 - Park Run starts at Coláiste Naomh Eoin

12:00 - Lunch starts at the Teach Ósta, 15 minute walk from Coláiste Naomh Eoin

13:00 - 15:45 Teachín Teolaí (sauna) open, 15 minute walk from the Teach Ósta

15:30 - Pop over to the shop for a snack and a coffee

15:50 - Walk back down to the pier

16:40 - Boat leaves Inis Meáin

15:50 - Walk back down to the pier

17:30 - Boat returns to Ros a Mhíl

Friday evening 18:30 - Boat leaves Ros a Mhíl, arrives on Inis Meáin at 19:15. Music session in Teach Ósta Inis Meáin starts at 21:00/21:30

Saturday

11:00 - Park Run starts at Coláiste Naomh Eoin

12:00 - Lunch starts at the Teach Ósta, 15 minute walk from Coláiste Naomh Eoin

13:00 - 15:45 Teachín Teolaí (sauna) open, 15 minute walk from the Teach Ósta

15:30 - Pop over to the shop to pick up a few bits for dinner before they close at 5p.m. Teach Ósta also serves dinner from 6 - 9p.m.

15:50 - Walk back down to the pier

Evening - relax at home or go to Teach Ósta for a few drinks.

Sunday

10:00 - Walk to Séipéal Muire Gan Smál agus Eoin Baiste to see Harry Clarke windows. You might see some wildlife on the way!

10:30 - Climb Dún Chonchúir and get a 360 view of the island

11:00 - Walk over to Teach Synge and learn about J.M. Synge's time on Inis Meáin

12:00 - Continue out the cliff walk, take in the views of the island and sit in Synge's Chair

14:30 - Teach Ósta Inis Meáin for a gorgeous lunch

15:30 - Pop over to the shop for a snack and a coffee for the boat back

15:50 - Walk back down to the pier

16:40 - Boat leaves Inis Meáin

15:50 - Walk back down to the pier

17:30 - Boat returns to Ros a Mhíl

9:00 - Arrive on the ferry

11:00 - 13:00 Settle in. Check into your accommodation, unpack, pick up a few bits in Siopa Ruaidhrí Beag

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch in the house or at the Teach Ósta

14:00 - 16:30 Lúb Dún Chonchúir (8k.m.) - flat terrain, great way to find your way around the main part of the island

Evening - Rest after the travel and the walk, have some dinner and relax.
9:00 - 13:30 Lúb Dún Fearbhaí - hillier walk, dramatic views of the Cliffs of Moher.

13:30 - 14:30 Lunch at Teach Ósta Inis Meáin

14:30 - 16:00 Visit Teach Synge and climb Dún Chonchúir

Evening - Have some dinner at the house, or pop down to the Teach Ósta for dinner and some drinks
10:00 - 12:00 Swim and sauna with Teachín Teolaí

12:00 - 14:00 Lunch and rest

14:30 - 18:00 Lúb Chill Cheannannach (10k.m.) - Visit an ancient church

19:30 - 20:30 Singing circle in the Ionad Pobail

21:00 - Music session in the Teach Ósta
10:00 - 13:00 Cliff walk and sit in Synge's chair

13:00 - 14:30 Lunch and rest

14:30 - 17:00 Art and culture display at the Ionad Pobail, Jo Killalea's paintings and photography is on display inside, and information on the holy wells of the Aran Islands outside.

Evening - Dinner and relax
Island exploration day!

Some ideas:

If there's a group of you, Aedín may facilitate a wildflower walk, where you can learn to identify an array of native flowers, gain an insight into Irish beliefs associated with wild plants and discover the many uses of wildflowers in cooking, medicine and craft. Her website is available here.

Revisit a favourite site from earlier in the week

Visit the historic sites - booklet available here.

See the Harry Clarke windows in the church

Rent a bike and cycle around, taking in the views

There are books related to the island for sale in Siopa Ruaidhrí Beag - now that you know the island so well, why not read one and see how many places you can recognise?

21:00 - Music in the Teach Ósta until late
11:00 - Park Run, starting at Coláiste Naomh Eoin

12:30 - 13:30 Post Park Run brunch outside the Teach Ósta

14:00 - 15:00 - Sauna with Teachín Teolaí

17:00 - Final evening, farewell dinner in the Teach Ósta
8:55 - Ferry back to Ros a Mhíl

Visitor's Code

Be a part of the community

Inis Meáin is a small community of ~180 people. We ask you to please have respect for the island, the people, and the environment when you are here.

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.

Please do not climb or remove any part of ancient or sacred sites on Inis Meáin

Cycle safely in single file and keep to the left at all times

Avoid picking flowers, some are very rare and protected by law

Be sensitive to the host community and observe people’s privacy

Please do not build replica dolmens or standing stone on the island

Please stay on roads and trails and avoid knocking dry stone walls

Do not interfere with any fishing equipment or any other equipment left at the piers.

Please do not light fires on farmlands or beaches – this poses a health and safety risk to farm animals and other users.

Beware of the danger & power of the sea – never turn your back on the sea while exploring the Island.