Árainn - Inis Mór (Inishmore)

Inis Mór (Árainn) is the largest of the Aran Islands, lying off the coast of County Galway at the mouth of Galway Bay. Its limestone terrain carries an extraordinary concentration of ancient sites, most famously the clifftop stone fort of Dún Aonghasa, alongside early churches, holy wells and mile after mile of dry-stone wall.

Most visitors get around by bicycle, pony trap or minibus. Irish remains in daily use here, and the island has sandy beaches and sheltered swimming spots as well as dramatic Atlantic cliffs. Ferries and flights run from the Galway coast; check schedules ahead.