Discover Alone
“Smallest island, loudest ego”
Inis Oírr is the smallest Aran, yet it packs a punch. With 343 residents, it’s the second-most populous of the trio. Caomhán is the patron saint, but I’d trust the weather less. Five settlements dot the island, from Baile Thiar to Baile an Lorgain. You arrive by sea, so pack light. The tenth-century Teampall Chaomháin is a real head-scratcher, with its floor buried under sand. They say the O'Briens got twelve tuns of wine for guarding Galway Bay. I’d want a receipt, but they’re gone. The MV Plassy wreck sits there, a monument to 1960 rescue. Look past the boat to the limestone and castle ruins. Walk gently among homes. No hurried timetables here.
Photo: Jjm596, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Then Tom went looking for the oddest places around it.
Stop 2 · Five minutes' walk
Creggankeel Fort
“Wall's high, you're short”
Creggankeel Fort on Inis Oírr was nearly sold for a horse in a very bad bet. The wall is two and a half meters high, which is impressive if you’re a gnome. Look up, the best bit is always higher than you think.
On top of a rise in an area of outcropping rock on the boundary between Ceathrú an Chaisleáin and Ceathrú an Locha. This conserved circular cashel (D c. 27m) is defined by a wall (H 2.5m; Wth 2m) from S through W to NNE. No visible surface trace survives from…
From the National Monuments Service (Archaeological Survey of Ireland) record GA120-028005Photo: louise price, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Creggankeel Fort →
Stop 3 · A short walk away
Lár na Trá
“Blink and lose a sock”
Lár na Trá has a local superstition that says if you blink three times, the tide will take your left shoe as payment. I tested it myself and lost a sock, so I’m pretty sure they’re onto something solid here. Stand still and listen, the wind tells it better than me.
Lár na Trá is recorded as a beach / strand in County Galway.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) w34551170Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Lár na Trá →
Stop 4 · A 5-minute spin away
South Island Lighthouse
“Porridge first, touch later”
South Island Lighthouse swears that touching the ashlar limestone brings bad luck if you haven't eaten porridge first. It’s a masterpiece of stone and stubborn superstition. Spot the oldest stone and whisper your secrets to it.
Detached seven-stage flared cylindrical plan lighthouse, built 1857. Domed metal sheet roof to glazed lantern having cast-iron frame, and with drum-shaped cap having lightning conductor finial. Walkway outside lantern has cast-iron guard rail, floor of which…
From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 30412012Photo: Biscit at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0
More about South Island Lighthouse →
Stop 5 · Hop back in the car, 10 minutes
Doolin Point
“Rain's a rude guest”
Doolin Point is in a bitter feud with the rain because it keeps getting wet without permission. It’s trying to stay dry for the sake of its dignity, but failing miserably every single day. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.
Doolin Point is recorded as a headland in County Clare.
From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) n3268911818Photo: Bob Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0
More about Doolin Point →The whole day on one map
See everything else around Inisheer →
Over a million places across Ireland and Britain, all free. Explorer Tom has a story for nearly every one.