Beyond Your Travel

Food, heritage & cultural tour Inishmore, Aran Islands. Guided.

4.5 (12)

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Duration

5 hours

Group Size

1 to 15 people

Ages

0 - 120 yrs

Languages

English

Tour Overview

Step off the ferry onto Inis Mór island and meet your native Irish speaking guide, who is a gifted storyteller and a national food champion. In his entertaining company, gain insights into the culture and history of this remote island on a tour that includes spectacular coastal scenery with stop offs at the World Heritage Site of Dún Aonghus, the monastic site of The Seven Churches, a seal colony viewing point and a visit to local craft village to meet the locals and see Celtic inspired crafts. He will share his remarkable insights into the customs and traditions of an island that has been home to his ancestors for as long as time can remember. As a special foodie highlight, your guide takes you to his goat to see his roaming Nubian and Saanen goats, and then gives a demonstration of how he makes his award-winning cheese that includes tasting this delicious island goat cheese.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please note max people per booking is 6 people. Max 3 bookings / up to 18 people
Do you or any of your party suffer from food allergies? If yes, please inform your guide prior to departing on this tour.

Pickup

Please advise us how you will be getting to Inishmore (ferry/plane) and your expected arrival time so we can co-ordinate your private pick up. Contact details of your guide: +353 (0) 87 222 6776 Please advise your guide if you or any of your party suffer from food allergies before departing on this tour.

What's included

Stop off at the popular Seal Colony viewing point.

Entrance into Dún Aonghus fort Entrance into Dún Aonghus fort (self-guided tour at the fort)

Collection by private bus from the ferry terminal/airport on Inishmore, Aran Islands

Cultural and historic tour of the island with stops at historical sites.

Guided tour of the island by Inis Mór local guide.

Taste the island with a tour of Aran Island’s goat cheeses

Drop off by private bus to the ferry terminal/airport.

Gratuities

Other

Itinerary

Stop 1: 0.3 hours

Dún Eochla is a superb stone ring fort located at the highest point on Inishmore in the Aran Islands. The inner walls measure approximately 5 metres in height, and over 3 metres in depth. This fort deserves far more attention than it gets with it’s fantastic location and remarkable condition, but is overlooked because of the popularity of the nearby Dún Aengus/Dún Aonghasa. Rarely do you find four stone forts so close together on one small island, each of which are in great condition.

Stop 2: 0.3 hours

Eeragh Lighthouse is an active lighthouse located on Rock Island, one of the Brannock Islands, part of the Aran Islands archipelago in County Galway, Ireland. It marks the north-western entrance to Galway Bay and the port of Galway known as the North Sound. Originally a light was established on Inishmore near Dun Oghil at a height of 400 feet alongside the Signal Tower. The light was first lit on 1st May 1818 with a revolving optic giving it a flashing character so as not to be confused with either Loophead to the south or Clare Island to the north, both of which were fixed or non-flashing lights.

Stop 3: 0.8 hours

Situated in the west of Inis Mór at the village of Eoghanacht the seven churches was for centuries one of the biggest monastic foundations and centres of pilgrimage along the west coast of Ireland. Breacan is believed to have come here in the earliest period from Kilbrecan near Quin in County Clare. Tradition on the island has it that his foundation rivalled St Enda’s foundation in the east of the island. Indeed the two saints are held to have eventually agreed to divide the island between them. Although termed ‘ the seven churches’ there are in fact only two churches with a number of domestic buildings. The title seven is possibly an allusion to the pilgrimage circuit of Rome which incorporated seven churches. Teampall Bhreacáin( St Brecan’s Church) is a large multi period church c. 8th-13th century. Teampall an Phoill ‘ (the Church of the Hollow) is a 15th century church smaller and simpler in style. There used be two Holy Wells -now enclosed on site.

Stop 4: 1 hours

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic ocean, Dún Aonghasa is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. The fort consists of three massive dry-stone walls and a chevaux-de-frise, a dense band of jagged, upright stones, surrounding the fort from cliff to cliff, designed to impede attackers. Originally constructed c.1100BC, it was re-fortified around 700-800 AD. Excavations revealed significant evidence of prehistoric metalworking, as well as several houses and burials.

Stop 5: 1 hours

Kilmurvery craft village is located at the foot of Dun Aonghasa and contains a handful of eclectic Irish arts and crafts shops. Many visitors to the island browse or refresh at the cosy cafe before entering Dun Aonghasa.

Stop 6: 0.3 hours

The seal colony is situated on the northern side of the island close to Kilmurvey Beach, on the road to Dún Aonghasa and is clearly signposted with a small cabin selling snacks at the viewing point. At low tide, a dozen seals congregate on the beach and rocks, creating a beautiful sight with the mountains of Connemara as its backdrop.

Stop 7: 1 hours

Aran Island Goat’s Cheese is a family run goat farm on Inish Mór – the largest of the Aran Islands - producing a range of soft cheeses and a barrel aged goats feta. The Island tour that also includes a stop at the cheese factory with people given the chance to meet the goats, watch cheese being made, have an educational commentary and taste the cheese. Aran Goats Cheese produces a soft cheese with or without Dillisk (a seaweed harvested on the island), a Gouda which also comes infused with sea lettuce, or Dillisk, a medium hard cheese that looks like Brie and a Summer Cheese not unlike Feta. Their Dillisk is harvested on the shores of Inis Mór. The pigs on the farm are also fed whey, a by product of cheese making, so nothing goes to waste.

FAQ

Can I get the refund?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Min 1 days: 100%
From 0 to 1 days: 0%

Tickets

Adult (0 - 120 years)

Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15