Aran Islands Ireland (Inishmore-Inishmaan-Inisheer)

Aran Islands (Oileain Arann) aka The Arans are a group of three islands (part of Connacht Province's Galway County/central-western Ireland) located off the mainland's west coast, at Galway Bay's mouth (sea lough). The archipelago has total population under 1,500, total area approx 18 mi2 (46 km2) and includes Inishmore Island (Arainn/Inis Mor), Inishmaan Island (Inis Meain), and Inisheer Island (Inis Oirr), plus several small islets.

The Arans are served by regularly scheduled ferryboats (by Aran Ferries) departing from Rossaveal/Rossaveel (Galway County, which is The Arans' principal ferry port, located approx 23 mi/ 37 km to the west of Galway City) and from Doolin/Dulainn (Clare County). The Aran ferries are passenger-only (as opposed to Ro-Pax ships) as vehicles, wheeled cargo and heavy goods are shipped via unscheduled ferry services.

Aer Arann Islands provides regularly scheduled daily flights connecting Arainn/Inishmore with Connemara Airport in Inverin/Indreabhan.

Most cruise ships to Aran Islands visit Inishmore where they dock at or anchor off Kilronan (Cill Ronain) - a ferry port on the northeastern coast.

Inishmaan's ferry dock is on the northern coast.

The Arans are famous for the locals' strong Irish culture, amazing coastline scenery and numerous Pre-Christian era archeological sites. Inishmore's tourism industry is well-developed and based on bed-and-breakfast/B&B accommodation services as numerous cozy houses are scattered across the entire island. Transportation is based predominantly on private mini-buses. Other means of transportation (including for visiting tourists) are horse-drawn carriages and bicycles.

Inishmore Island (officially Arainn/aka Inis Mor) has land area approx 12 mi2 31 km2 and population around 800. By area Inishmore is also Ireland's second-largest - after Achill Island (Acaill, aka Oilean Acla) - 57 mi2/148 km2, with coastline 80 mi/128 km. Inishmore archeological sites include several prehistoric hill ringforts, the most popular/visited being Dun Aonghasa which is positioned at the edge of a 330-ft/100-m-high cliff.

The islands' landscapes feature limestone pavements, crisscrossing cracks/grykes and isolated rocks/clints (flat pavement-like slabs) making them among the world's most easily recognizable destinations with unique natural landmarks.

The Arans have a temperate climate, with average temperatures ranging between 59 F/15 C (July) and 43 F/6 C (January). The islands have one of Ireland's longest growing seasons supporting diverse and lush plants, with May being the best month for viewing flowers.

Inishmaan Island (Inis Meain) has land area approx 3,7 mi2/9,5 km2 (measuring 4x2,5 km/2,5x1,6 mi) and population around 200. Inishmaan's archaeological sites/tourist attractions include Carrownlisheen Wedge Tomb (gallery grave from the Neolithic/Early Bronze Age), three stone ringforts (Doonbeg, Dun Conor/Conchuir, Dun Fearbhai), three churches from the 8th-10th centuries (Templesaghtmacree, Labbanakinneriga, Kilcoonagh).

Inisheer Island (Inis Thiar/Oirthir) has land area approx 2,3 mi2/5,9 km2 and population around 300. Inisheer's main settlements are Baile Thiar (cruise and ferry port), Baile an tSeipeil/Chapeltown, Baile an Chaisleain/Castle Village, Baile an Fhormna, and Baile an Lorgain. Inisheer's archeological sites/tourist attractions include the stone fort Creggankeel (housing the Seven Daughters' Grave), the tumulus Cnoc Raithni, O'Brien's Castle (15th-century), two 6th-century churches (St Gobnet's, and Saint Caomhan's/St Cavan's).