Inis Meáin

Top choice in Aran Islands

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Everything about Inis Meáin gives a boutique twist to Aran's wild heart. Five suites sit among curving, stacked stone walls, wraparound windows, crisp styling and cinematic views. The acclaimed restaurant (dinner at 8pm Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) is bold enough to deliver pared-down combinations of own-grown veg, freshly harvested shellfish and home-reared meat. Booking is required; four courses cost €75.

If you'd like a suite, book early – they sell out pretty much instantly when launched each October. Prices fall by as much as €750 per booking outside July and August.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Stone wall at Dun Aonghasa Aran Islands

    Dún Aonghasa

    8.03 MILES

    Dún Aonghasa is one of the largest prehistoric stone forts in Europe and stands guard over Inis Mór on the edge of a 100-metre sheer cliff drop.

  • Aughnanure Castle, Galway, Ireland

    Aughnanure Castle

    26.36 MILES

    The 'Fighting O'Flahertys' were based at this superbly preserved 16th-century fortress 4km east of Oughterard. The clan controlled the region for hundreds…

  • Galway, Ireland - June 17th 2005: Teenagers, some with backpacks, sitting on the bank of river Corrib, front the Galway City Museum.

    Galway City Museum

    25.43 MILES

    Exhibits at this modern, three-floor museum engagingly convey the city's archaeological, political, cultural and social history. Look out for an iconic…

  • Poulnabrone Dolmen

    Poulnabrone Dolmen

    18.69 MILES

    Also known as the Portal Tomb, Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of Ireland's most photographed ancient monuments. Built more than 5000 years ago, the other…

  • Hazel Mountain Chocolate

    Hazel Mountain Chocolate

    22.44 MILES

    Book ahead to watch chocolate being made in small batches using rare Trinitario cacao beans and raw sugar on a 45-minute tour of this heavenly smelling…

  • Burren Perfumery & Floral Centre

    Burren Perfumery & Floral Centre

    22.57 MILES

    The Burren's wildflowers are the inspiration for the subtle scents at this wonderful perfumery and floral centre, which creates scented items such as…

  • Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb

    Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb

    18.18 MILES

    One of Ireland's most famous prehistoric grave sites, Gleninsheen lies beside the R480 7km south of Ballyvaughan. It's thought to date from 4000 to 5000…

  • St Tola Irish Goat Cheese

    St Tola Irish Goat Cheese

    21.11 MILES

    Creamy St Tola goat's cheese is served at some of Ireland's finest restaurants, with award-winning lines including ash log, Greek-style feta and gouda…

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Nearby Aran Islands attractions

2. Teach Synge

0.37 MILES

Now a small museum, this 300-year-old thatched cottage, on the road just before you head up to Dún Chonchúir, is where the writer JM Synge (1871–1909)…

3. Dún Fearbhaigh

0.43 MILES

The well-preserved ruins of this stone fort are 200m west of the Cill Cheannannach church ruins; the fort similarly dates from around the 8th century.

4. Dún Chonchúir

0.49 MILES

Glorious views of Inishmaan's limestone valleys and maze of stone walls extend from this ruined elliptical stone fort, which sits on the island's highest…

5. Cill Cheannannach

0.54 MILES

On the eastern coastline, look out for the 8th-century Cill Cheannannach church ruins.

6. Synge's Chair

1.25 MILES

At the desolate western end of the island, Synge's Chair is a viewpoint at the edge of a sheer limestone cliff with the surf from Gregory's Sound booming…

7. Well of Enda

2.55 MILES

Some locals still carry out a pilgrimage known as the Turas to the Well of Enda (also known as Éinne or Endeus), a bubbling spring in a remote rocky…

8. Cill Ghobnait

2.69 MILES

This tiny 9th-century church is named after St Gobnait (locally spelt Ghobnait), who fled here from Clare to escape a family feud. Gobnait is the patron…