We will be in Ireland in mid October and dearly want to visit the Aran Islands. We are only going as faras Doolin, and I hear that all boats from Doolin stop in late September. Do you know if that is the case? And if so could you give us any alternative means to get to the Aran Islands?

They go year round from Galway. Would that be a problem? Its is a short drive furthewr and possibly a shorter ferry ride. They leave from Spiddle just outside Galway.

There is a year-round service from Galway but in winter it's basically a cargo service, though passengers can use it. The main passenger service is from Rossaveal on the north side of Galway Bay. There are connecting buses from Galway - see www.aranislandferries.com.

Can you tell me how long the trip is from Doolin to Galway and Rossaveal?

By bus, it's about an hour from Doolin to Galway and another hour from Galway to Rossaveal. A car won't be a lot faster as these are narrow country roads.
There are two boat operators from Doolin:
www.doolinferries.com;
www.aranislandsfastferries.com.
It would be worth contacting them in case they have any trips in October.

Geoff as far as I knew people come and go over the year as many islanders need to go to the mainland for various reasons. To my knowledge the boats were cargo and passenger and left from Spiddal but I see Rossaveal is closer to Galway on the map so I am probably wrong. I flew from outside Spiddal to Inish Mor and it took about 10 minutes and would reccommend it. It is a little bit more than the ferry but totally worth it in my opinion. You can leave the car in the mainland airport carpark as they lock it at night. Its a nice drive drom Galway to Spiddal and no more narrow than any other places in the west of Ireland.

Have fun you will love the islands.

SiobhanP should get a new map. Spiddal is about half way from Galway to Rossaveal, so Rossaveal is not closer to Galway. There are no boats from Spiddal, only from Rossaveal, Galway and (in summer) Doolin.

I stand corrected! I looked at a small mapo on the internet and they were interchangeable as they were squashed together. The roads are not too bad its just that most areas don't have motorways. I still think flying is the quickest and easiest way. Do go its a lovely place and post about your trip

S

We'll be staying in Clifden for three days in November. Is it at all practical to drive to Rossveal, go to the Arans and back and back to Clifden in the same day? Or would that be ridiculous? We'd be happy to pay the additional to fly, if you think this is a possible day trip. Siobhan, I hope you can help me here! Or anyone else for that matter. Thanks a lot!

I think you have the same map that I have posted on my wall Siobhan. Mine looks that way also.

Holldoll. The days will certainly be short (as you know) in November. The first flight out to Inis Mor is at 8:30 and it appears that the winter schedule only has morning flights back from the Island (strange). Inis Man has an afternoon flight back at 3:15. First flight there leaves the mainland at 9:00.

It doesn't seem like there is much time to enjoy the islands and if you went, you would want to have greatr weather.

Bill

Bill: You're probably right. Thought the flights leave from Oughterard, and I thought that would be doable from Clifden, I didn't check the flight times. However, if one were to go, are there tours on the island or what is there to do once you get there? Sorry to sound so dumb, but I just don't know!!

Hi Holldoll:

Not dumb at all!! I don't know of an airport in Oughterard. The one I know of is along the coast near Ballynahown between Spiddal & Rossaveal. As far as tours of the islands, tourism is an important part of the economy on Inish Mor and there are folks that will take you on a mini bus tour of the island. During tourism months, they are lined up near the ferry to offer their services. Don't know about November.

Bill

Bill: Well, don't know where I got Oughterard from--their website or something. Anyway, it would be a doable drive from Clifden. Guess I'll have to check out websites to see if there are tours of the Island given in November. I thought flying rather than the ferry would be so much quicker and easier--plus it leaves west of Galway and I wouldn't have to deal with driving in Galway! We had such luck with our weather in March I guess I'm being presumptious that we'll be as lucky in November. It will probably rain constantly and we won't get anywhere! But the Arans have always interested me, if even for a five or six hour visit. You are, as always, a great resource and help! Thanks, Bill.

Well, why the heck don't they go from Doolin to the Aran Islands in October? Surely someone goes from Doolin to the Aran Islands-----don't they?!

Doolin is a tiny village. By October the tourists have dried up there and it is just not worth the money, time or effort running an almost empty ferry back and forth. Also, the Doolin Ferry is very dependent on the seas. Even when they are running if the seas are too rough or the weather is bad the ferry can be canceled.

Galway is one of Ireland's larger cities and a tourist attraction for most of the year. It provides a larger market for ferry traffic to the Aran Islands. So it all boils down to money.

You might sometimes find a fishing boat going from Doolin to the Aran Islands but they might not be approved or insured to take paying passengers.

Thanks for the response. I now have a better understanding of the situation. I might look for that fishing boat. The Arans just intrigue me. I'm going with a group of 6 and can't call the shots about going to Galway, so if I don't find that fishing boat, I'll have to wait for my next trip to Ireland to see the Aran Islands. Maybe I'll spend the night that time.

Hello, adamsparks. We flew from Inveran a year ago May, and found it to be the best way to travel to Inismor. The only problem was that the airport at Kilronan was "socked" in for our return in the afternoon, and we had to take the Rosseveal ferry back. If you are interested in flying in October, would definitly check with Aran Air as to their alternative return in case of bad weather. We would go by air again--the only way to get there fast and early, missing the crowds (perhaps none in October!)at the Fort.Hope this is of some help...Helen

Holl Doll It could be done if you get up early and pre-book the flights. I am not sure about the weather though. If its bad I would not bother freezing my arse off just to see an Island! I would not stay overnight at that time of year as it could be pretty dead as well. Play it by ear and check the weekly weather.

We went last August and were actually sunning ourselves and swimming on a quiet beach...heaven! We could not believe how great the weather was.

Where is Inveran in relationship to Doolin? About how much was the fare?

Inverin is just west of Galway. Look for Rosseveal on a map. The fare, according to Aerarann website is 44 Euros return. I think Siobhan just changed my mind about attempting that day trip--too cold, days too short, too much other lazy-type fun stuff to do!! I've stayed at Abbeyglen and haven't even checked out the Sky Road yet. Or Roundstone. Think I'll stick close to Clifden for my three days.