Inishmaan

Introducing Inishmaan

The least-visited of the islands, with the smallest population, Inishmaan (Inis Meáin) is, perhaps not surprisingly, the most tranquil. Early Christian monks seeking solitude were drawn to Inishmaan, as was the author JM Synge, who spent five summers here over a century ago. The island they knew largely survives today: docile farm animals, impressive old forts, and warm-hearted locals who may tell you with a glint in their eye that they had a hard night on the whiskey the previous evening (there are no garda on the island to enforce closing times). Inishmaan’s scenery is breathtaking, with a jagged coastline of start­ling cliffs and empty beaches.

To their credit, Inishmaan’s down-to-earth islanders are largely unconcerned with the prospect of attracting tourist euros, so facil­ities are few and far between.

Last updated: Sep 16, 2008