What to do on Inis Oirr / Inisheer (With 1-Day Itinerary)

Inis Oirr (Inisheer) is an island bursting with character, where stone walls crisscross the landscape and ancient ruins tell tales of the past.

The smallest of the three Aran islands (the others are Inis Mor and Inis Meain), Inis Oirr is easily reached by ferry or plane.

Below, you’ll find:

• A: Things to do on Inis Oirr (castles, beaches, seals and more)
• B: A day-trip itinerary (map is at the end of the guide)
• C: Practical tips for getting there by ferry or plane

Visiting Inis Oírr Island (Inisheer)

So, a visit to Inis Oírr Island (Inisheer) is pretty straightforward, however, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your trip that bit more enjoyable.

1. The Inis Oirr ferry

You have two options to get to Inis Oirr – you can fly or you can take the ferry:

• From Rossaveal: The ferry takes 55 minutes
• From Doolin: The fast ferry takes 15 minutes

2. Getting there by plane

There is a regional airport on each of the Aran Islands which is served from Connemara Airport by AerArann.

3. About the island

Inis Oírr is a 3km by 3km island with a close-knit community of 260 residents, where traditional life and the Irish language thrive.

Known for its striking karst landscape, Inis Oírr is part of the Burren, attracting geologists and visitors alike to its unique environment.

Things to do on Inis Oírr

There’s heaps of things to do on Inis Oírr, from forts and walks to beaches, fine pubs, great places to eat and more.

Below, you’ll find a mix of places to visit on the island, just keep in mind that not all of them will be possible if you visit when the weather has taken a turn for the worst!

1. Choose a mode of transport

When you arrive on Inisheer, you need to make a choice about how you’ll get around.

You have a handful of options, each of which can be availed of from near the ferry pier:

• Walk: Ideal if you’re not stuck for time
• Rent a bike: Arguably the best way to zip around
• Horse and cart: The traditional form of travel (a tourist favourite)
• Bus tour: Take the Wanderly Wagon Tour of the island

2. An Tra

While there are some outstanding beaches in Galway, few can hold their own against the breath-taking beach a stone’s throw from the pier.

Inis Oírr beach is famous for its pristine waters and environmental excellence, earning both Blue Flag and Green Coast awards—one of only five beaches in Ireland to achieve this.

Surrounded by history and stunning views, the beach sits beneath the ruins of O’Brien’s Castle, with Galway Bay offering vistas of the Burren and Connemara.

The sand is perfect for a quiet stroll or a picnic, while the refreshing waters beckon swimmers after exploring the island.

3. Teampall Caomhán

Saint Caomhán, the patron saint of Inis Oírr, is celebrated as the island’s spiritual protector.

His legacy is tied to the island’s 10th-century church, Teampall Chaomháin, a site nearly buried by drifting sands until the islanders excavated and maintained it.

The church’s weathered stones, including medieval additions like the pointed south doorway and chancel arch, offer a glimpse into its layered history.

Nearby lies Leaba Chaomháin, the saint’s grave, where it’s said that prayers once brought healing to the sick.

Related reads: See my guides on the best Aran Island to visit along with the best places to visit on the Aran Islands

4. O’Brien’s Castle

Few castles in Ireland boast a position as unique as Inisheer’s!

The castle is one of the less-celebrated castles in Galway, but it boasts a fine bit of history (it was captured and slighted by Cromwell’s army in the 17th century).

Built around 1400 by the Clann Teige branch of the powerful O’Brien family, this rectangular tower house replaced an ancient ringfort, Dún Formna, which had crowned the ridge for centuries prior

Its storied past includes captures by the O’Flahertys in 1582 and damage inflicted during Cromwell’s campaign in 1652.

5. Wonderful Inis Oírr pubs

After you’ve ticked-off the various places to visit on Inis Oirr, it’s well worth rewarding yourself with a tipple in one of the islands public houses.

The island is, in my opinion, home to some of the best pubs in Galway, with the brilliant Tigh Ned the pick of the bunch!

On a fine day, you can head out to the beer garden and enjoy a sip as you gaze out over the Atlantic.

Tigh Ruairí is another one that’s worthy of your attention as is Flaherty’s in the Inisheer Hotel.

6. The MV Plassey Shipwreck

Few Inisheer attractions stir nostalgia like the Plassey, instantly recognisable from the opening credits of Father Ted (a famous Irish TV show for the 90s).

In 1960, this cargo vessel in the Irish Merchant Service hit a rock off Inis Oírr and was washed onto the island’s shores.

Built in 1940 as HMS Juliet, a naval minesweeper, the vessel later became a cargo ship for the Limerick Steamship Company.

While carrying Irish whiskey, stained glass, and yarn, it struck Finnis Rock during a fierce storm.

The entire crew was heroically rescued by Inis Oírr islanders using a breeches buoy—a daring feat now commemorated in the National Maritime Museum.

7. Inis Oírr Lighthouse

One of the more popular things to do on Inis Oirr is to take a spin out to Inisheer Lighthouse, built in 1857, marks the southern entrance to Galway Bay.

Designed by George Halpin Jr., this black-and-white banded beacon originally housed a powerful first-order Fresnel lens, casting its light 20 nautical miles across the Atlantic.

In 1913, it transitioned to a paraffin-powered flashing light, and by 1978, it was automated and electrified.

A modern LED replaced its historic optics in 2014, slightly reducing its range but ensuring continued reliability.

8. Tobar Einne

Saint Enda of Aran, often called the “patriarch of Irish monasticism,” was a warrior-king turned monk whose influence shaped the spiritual heritage of Ireland.

Born in Oriel, Ulster, he was converted by his sister, Saint Fanchea, and established the first Irish monastery around 484 AD at Killeaney on Inis Mór.

His legacy spread far and wide, with many of Ireland’s great saints tracing their roots back to Aran.

On Inis Oírr, his connection endures at Tobar Éinne (Well of Enda), near the island’s west coast. This sacred site is central to the local Turas, a traditional pilgrimage believed to hold healing powers.

9. Cill Ghobnait

St. Gobnet’s Church, a medieval gem on Inis Oírr, traces its origins to the 6th century when Saint Gobnait sought refuge here from a family feud.

According to legend, an angel guided her to return to the mainland, where she eventually established a religious community in Ballyvourney, marked by the appearance of nine white deer.

Her early life on Inis Oírr remains etched into the island’s fabric, with the remains of her beehive hut still visible near the site.

The current stone church, built around the 11th or 12th century, is a simple yet striking rectangular structure of limestone.

10. The big lake

Loch Mór, the only freshwater lake on Inis Oírr, is a tranquil surprise amid the island’s rugged limestone and windswept landscapes.

You’ll find it along the road towards the Plassy Shipwreck where it offers a striking contrast to the rocky surroundings.

The sparse greenery hints at a bygone era when woodlands once covered the island, adding a layer of quiet history to its stark beauty.

11. Tur Faire

Loch Mór, the only freshwater lake on Inis Oírr, adds a surprising twist to the island’s rocky terrain.

Tucked along the road to the Plassy Shipwreck, it’s a peaceful contrast to the surrounding limestone landscape.

The sparse greenery hints at a time when the island was covered in woodland, offering a glimpse into a very different past.

Today, it stands as a quiet reminder of how Inis Oírr’s natural story has evolved over centuries.

12. Follow this Inisheer Itinerary

Now you have a sense of the different things to do on Inis Oirr, it’s time for an itinerary.

It is possible to squeeze all the top sights and attractions on Inis Oírr into a half day trip, but to really take it all in, it’s best to stay a day or two. 

If you hop into our Inis Oirr accommodation guide, you’ll find a tonne of different places to stay on the island.