Just a short ferry away from the popular Cliffs of Moher sits what is possibly one of the most interesting places in Ireland: the island of Inisheer (or in Irish, Inis Oírr).
There may not be tons of things to do on Inisheer, but there are certainly plenty of reasons to visit the smallest of Galway Bay’s 3 Aran Islands in.
This is a place where the permanent population numbers under 300 (not a typo), where Irish is still the main spoken language, and where the checklist-worthy things to do are few but the views are limitless.
It’s an island where you can’t help but halfway believe in fairytales, and would only be mildly shocked to find a Tolkien character stepping out of the castle.
Inisheer is a place that has captivated us twice now: when we returned to Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way a few years after our first visit, we found that we couldn’t help but take a detour from our time spent near Doolin and on the Cliffs of Moher to visit Inisheer again.
Considering taking a day trip to Inisheer Island, Ireland?
Here’s what you need to know before you go, including how to get there and the best things to do on Inisheer!
The Best Things to Do on Inisheer
Head up to O’Brien’s Castle.
No, not O’Brien’s Tower on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher, but the remains of an actual castle!
Built in the 15th century by the O’Brien family, the castle was constructed with the remains of an earlier ring fort dating to 400 BCE that is (was) located at the top of the same hill.
Perched at the top of Inisheer, O’Brien’s Castle will likely be one of the first things you notice as your ferry approaches the island.
Unlike many of Europe’s great castles, the remains of this one don’t require tickets or time slots to access: it’s left open to explore, and it’s a delight to do so.
The views from O’Brien’s Castle are extraordinary, with Galway Bay visible to one side and the beautiful island to the other.
Visit the Plassey Shipwreck.
On a dark night in 1960, the Plassey ran aground on Inisheer, prompting an intense rescue effort by the local population… and the ship has not moved since.
Today, you can still visit the remains of the Plassey (now quite rusty and home to more than a few rats) on a day trip to Inisheer, and while we wouldn’t recommend getting too close, it is quite a fascinating sight.
We highly recommend stopping by–it’s simply not something you see every day!
Climb into the sunken church (St. Caomhán’s Church).
Nestled inside Inisheer’s small graveyard, this 9th-century church lacks a roof and is now located underground, having sunk into the island.
It’s a unique, beautiful, and downright peaceful place, and one of our favorite places to visit on the island.
Be sure not to miss it when deciding what to do on Inisheer!
Check out Cnoc Raithní.
This Bronze Age burial mound dates to 1500 BCE, making it the earliest sign of settlement on the island.
It’s also located right at a bend in the (small) road, roughly a 5-minute walk from the Inisheer Pier, making it an easy addition to any visit to the island.
Admire the Inisheer Lighthouse.
Visible from as far away as the Cliffs of Moher on a clear day, the Inisheer Lighthouse was completed in 1857 and is still in use today!
Cozy up with a cup of tea.
If your day trip to Inisheer includes a downpour or two (this is Ireland, after all) consider escaping into a cafe or pub for a cup of tea and a scone or a beer–the perfect way to wait out a rainstorm in Ireland.
Tigh Ned, Teach an Tae, and the Seaweed Cafe are all great options, though it’s hard to go wrong on the island: there’s simply too little space and too few businesses for any duds to stick around long!
Kick back during a pony and trap ride.
Pony and trap rides are one of the most popular things to do on Inisheer, especially because they’re the easiest way to get out to highlights like the Plassey Shipwreck if you’re short on time to spend on the island.
Just make sure you get along with your guide–some are more valuable than others.
We’ll never forget our first pony and trap driver on Inisheer, who was a lifelong local to the island and an absolute wealth of information and stories (including a firsthand account of the Plassey Shipwreck).
Rent a bike and go for a ride.
Not much for carriage rides and would rather rent a bike?
Bike rentals are a fun and easy way to get around Inisheer, and much more efficient than walking if you want to cover the best things to see on Inisheer in a day.
… But as this is Ireland and the weather is, of course, unpredictable, but sure you’re willing to risk getting wet before setting off for the day!
If you’d rather set off with a group, this popular day trip to Inisheer includes the option of exploring by bike!
Enjoy the beach.
Inisheer is home to some beautiful beaches that sparkle in the sun so beautifully that you’ll almost imagine you’re in the Caribbean, and they’re absolutely lovely to visit.
During both of our day trips to Inisheer we saw people swimming in the sea, and while it was far, far too cold for us to ever consider such a thing, if you’re used to taking a dip in chilly water, you might enjoy it!
Trá Inis Oírr is a public Blue Flag Beach located right next to the pier, so if nothing else, be sure to stop by and enjoy the view before saying goodbye to Inisheer.
How to Take a Day Trip to Inisheer
The ferry to Inisheer from Doolin takes about 45 minutes each way, though there are some fast boats you can book to complete the trip faster (as fast as 15 minutes) if you like.
The ride is quite lovely and features great views of the Cliffs of Moher, so kick back and enjoy. We also experienced an incredible rainbow and swimming dolphins traveling with us on one of our trips, which made for one of the more memorable ferry rides of our lives!
If you are traveling from Doolin, you’ll head to the Doolin Pier to catch your boat (you can check the schedule here). If you’re heading to Inisheer from Galway, you can also book a ferry from Rossavel, which is outside the city.
You’ll have your choice of simply booking the roundtrip ferry to Inisheer, or adding on a Cliffs of Moher cruise on the way back.
If you haven’t taken a Cliffs of Moher cruise yet, we recommend adding it! The additional fee is small and the cliffs are gorgeous when seen from above.
Especially if you’re visiting Inisheer during the summer high season, be sure book ahead to ensure you get on the ferry you want to (plus, it’s generally a bit cheaper to book online).
The earlier of a start you get to your day trip to Inisheer, the more relaxed your trip will be.
Prefer an organized day trip? This day trip to Inisheer will show you the best of the island in a day!
Book your day trip from Doolin to Inisheer today!
Coming from Galway? This popular day trip is an excellent choice if you want to visit both Inisheer Island and the Cliffs of Moher in one day!
Read More About Visiting Ireland
Planning a trip to Ireland soon? We’d love to continue to be part of your trip research here on Our Escape Clause!
You can browse all of our Ireland blog posts here, or check out these guides:
- 21 Things to Eat in Ireland (+ Foodie Experiences Not to Miss!)
- Planning a Trip to Ireland: Your Easy 9-Step Checklist
- 11 Best Day Trips from Dublin, Ireland (+ Tips!)
- What to Buy in Ireland: 25 Best Ireland Souvenirs
- How to Plan Your Magical Ireland Honeymoon
Was his name Michael Flaherty? I was just there last week with my daughter, and this is the exact story our driver told us. Baseball cap and all, (although it was a different cap, I think). I’m so hoping he was the same man, I could have scooped him up and brought him home!
Fun post, I needed a little island fix today, lonesome for that beautiful country. Thanks.
Sadly, we never got his name, but it sure could have been! On an island with a population that small, I’d say the odds are decent. 🙂
Ireland is definitely something special–it’s a very easy and relaxing place to be, I miss it all the time.
Thanks for the great summary of this island. If we only have time to visit one of the three islands and we want to bike ride, see nature and have a bite/beer; which island would you recommend?
Hi Susan,
Sadly, Inisheer is the only one of the 3 that we’ve had a chance to visit, though we’ve been lucky enough to visit twice.
I can’t speak to the other islands, but you can certainly do everything on your list on Inisheer. I suspect you can on the other islands as well. 🙂