We're working at nailing down our itinerary for a 2-week trip to Ireland in late August. I'd like to hear what savvy travelers have to say about getting to and from the Arans, probably Inishmore for us. Where did you leave from, did you take the ferry or fly? I'm particularly concerned about seasickness...on a typical late August day will the ferry from Rossaveel be a tough ride?

I'd love to hear your stories - good and bad. Husband thinks the islands are a must-see and I'm game but not looking forward to a rocky trip, either.

have you ever seen www.irishletter.com/article3.htm
also www.doolinferries.com
As regards travelling to the Aran Islands by boat, it all depends on the weather but the boats are safe as they have to undergo a rigorous safty check before they can get a licence to sail.
Your chemist will give you a tablet for the trip to be taken an hour before the journey and all will be well.
Cannot even stand on a boat that is moored myself took a travel tablet and off I went.
Enjoy.

We took a ferry from Rossaveel to Inishmore in late March a few years ago.

It was a pretty smooth trip and the boat was modern, well kept and with a competent crew. You should have no real problems.

You should know, though, that it's fairly common for employees of one the two competing ferry companies to tell you that the other company's boats are unsafe. It happened to us and I've heard other stories, too.

My dad, and old Navy man, looked over both companies' boats -- then laughed. They're all good.

Have a great time!

For just a bit more money you can fly to the Aran Islands on AerArann: http://www.aerarann.ie/ It is quicker and you can avoid seasickness.

This is a copy of my post(s) to an earlier thread titled: ARAN ISLANDS IN JAN:


Author: Itallian_Chauffer
Date: 01/14/2006, 12:01 am
Did some sleuthing:

Ferry to Inis Mor departs Rossaveal Quay at 10:30 AM and returns from Inis Mor at 5:00 PM. There is a shuttle bus from Galway City that departs fromKinlay House Hostel on Merchant's Road, just off Eyre Square at 9:30 AM. Round trip cost for one adult is 31 Euro according to the Aran Island Ferries web site.

Aer Arann flies out of Connemara Regional Airport, 17 miles out from Galway City on the R336 Coast Road. They too, have a shuttle from Kinlay House. The plane departs for Inis Mor at 10:00 AM and the return flight is at 15:45. Cost, including the shuttle bus is 45 Euro for one adult, round trip, according to THEIR web site.

Bob



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Author: Itallian_Chauffer
Date: 01/14/2006, 09:02 am
The info in the previous post was for Jan. Other times of year have different, or additional crossings.

Bob

I understand the airline WEIGHES EACHperson before boarding in order to properly distribute the weight. I think the planes only seat 6 or 8. Dunno if either fact will affect your decision over plane vs. boat....

Bob

I have flown. I believe it's E44 unles you have four or more and then it was E37. The trip was ten minutes as opposed to anywhere from :45 to 1:30 which gives you a lot more time on the island. I talk about it briefly here:

http://www.geocities.com/obeirne_ire.../inishmore.htm

Hope this helps.

Bill

Just returned from Ireland 2 weeks ago. We bought tickets in Galway for 31.75 euro. Bus from Galway center took about 45-60 minutes. Took us to the ferry. The ride to Inishmore was about the same 45-60 minutes. Smooth seas. Weather about 40 degrees and cloudy. Spent about 5 hours. Take the little tour bus ride. There were 4 of us and we had the bus and driver to ourself. Going in August will be a whole different matter I am sure.

I'm also planning on this trip to Inishmore, but will be coming from Doolin (we are staying in Ennis). Has anyone taken the Doolin ferry? From the schedules they give, it leaves earliest at 10am, and goes to Inisheer, then Inishmore. If you want to do both islands, the schedule works out at 2.5 hours on Inisheer, then 1.5 on Inishmore. I would much rather spend more time on the larger island -- but I really don't want to skip Inisheer all together

Any suggestions? Flying is out, as one of our party of three won't do puddlejumpers, she's scared enough of the jumbojets!

At the last count, there were two boat operators from Doolin (www.doolinferries.com and www.aranislandsfastferries.com) and two from Rossaveal (www.aranislandferries.com and www.aranislandsdirect.com).

It's the Doolin Ferries place I had seen -- didn't know about the other one, I'll check their schedule out! Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for the helpful information. I had asked about the ferry from Rossaveel based only on the fact that it looked closer to Inishmore than the Doolin ferry. Is there any advice regarding where would be better as a departure point? We'll be spending time in both regions so could plan to do either, and itinerary isn't set yet, so now would be the time to make the choice and plan for that day. I'm looking for shortest trip and least potential for a rough ride. Not sure DH is willing to fly.
Thanks!

Rossveal is the shortest trip out of all the trips to the arans. We had no problems. If you are scared of motion sickness, why don't you buy some Dramamine(in US) from a drug store and just pop a pill before you get on the boat. I have to always take Dramamine(less drowsy formula) to fly. I'm just one of those people no matter how smooth the flight is-I will get sick.

I emailed Aran Island Fast Ferries (from Doolin) and they leave at 9am, land on Inis Oirr, and then leave Inis Oirr for Inis Mor around 10:30am. Their last ferry leaves Inis More around 4:30pm -- perfect for island hopping

Their fee is E35.

Thanks, joolleeb and GreenDragon. Dramamine's a must-buy, and the Doolin info. adds the intriguing possibility of visiting more than one island, something we hadn't considered. As always, I learn things here I couldn't discover anywhere else!

Rereading and realized I'd missed some thank yous...to Worktowander, IrishEyes, Italian_Chauffer, wojazz3, mikeycora, CU, GeoffHamer (and anyone else I've missed) - we'll have a better Aran trip thanks to you. I'll be sure to post a trip summary when we return (though it's months away) and highlight how the Arans went. I've spent so much time here lately that some of you are feeling like old friends already!

I'm planning on taking the Aran Island ferry on my trip in June, so I'll be sure to let you know how it went! I always write a fairly detailed trip report

Two other boat operators from County Clare offer trips to Aran and to the Cliffs of Moher:
www.ocallaghanangling.com
www.mohercruises.com

This is an update to ferry services from Doolin to the Aran Islands.
www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises.com have a passenger ferry to the Aran Islands direct from Doolin pier, Co. Clare. They also have sightseeing trips to view the Cliffs of Moher from sea level. They sail every day (April to October) Weather permitting.

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