Arranmore Island

Introducing Arranmore Island

Blessed by dramatic cliff faces, sea caves and clear sandy beaches, the small island of Arranmore (Árainn Mhór) lies a short ferry trip from the mainland. Measuring just 9km by 5km, the island has been inhabited since the early Iron Age (800 BC), and a prehistoric triangular fort can be seen on the southern side. The western and northern parts are wild and rugged, with few houses to disturb the sense of isolation. A walking path, the Arranmore Way, circles the island (allow three to four hours) and off the southwestern tip is Green Island, a bird sanctuary for corncrakes, snipes and a variety of seabirds that you can see from Arranmore (but not visit). You’ll hear mostly Irish spoken on Arranmore Island, although most of the people are bilingual.

Last updated: Sep 16, 2008