Aran Island Ferries

Who they are

The ferry company that links the port of Rossaveel, on the Connemara coast, with the three Aran Islands all year round: Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr. From April to September it also leaves from the quay in the centre of Galway. The company, Island Ferries Teoranta, belongs to the O'Brien family of Connemara, who have traded with the islands since the early 20th century: they began carrying turf and passengers in a traditional sailing boat, a Galway hooker, on crossings that could last twelve hours. In 1983 Paddy and Sally O'Brien bought the Dún Aengus, with 48 seats, the first licensed passenger ferry on the west coast. Today it is run by Susan, Sharon, Cian and Niall O'Brien.

The fleet and the crossings

It has five boats with Irish names, with 188 to 394 seats; the largest is the Saoirse na Farraige, 40 metres long. From Rossaveel it takes about 40 minutes to Inis Mór, 50 to Inis Meáin and 55 to Inis Oírr; from the centre of Galway, around an hour and a half. Irish is still spoken on the islands, and the website has an Irish version as well as English. On the islands it offers bike hire and minibus tours with a local guide.

How to get to Rossaveel

Rossaveel is almost an hour from Galway. If you are not driving, the shuttle bus leaves from Victoria Place, between the Victoria House and the Victoria Hotel, next to Eyre Square, and takes about 50 minutes. It must be booked at least 12 hours ahead and you must be at the stop 20 minutes before departure. It does not carry bicycles, animals or freight. If you drive, you can leave the car at Rossaveel pier for €8 per 24 hours.

Fares and bookings

Return by boat from Rossaveel, €34 per adult, €29 per student and €17 per child; the bus, €10, €9 and €7 extra. Family fares are booked by phone. Book on their website, on +353 91 568903 or at [email protected]. The offices are open from 9:00 to 17:00 on Forster Street (Galway), from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 at Victoria Place and from 9:00 to 18:00 at Rossaveel pier.

Cancellations

Sailings depend on the sea. If the company cancels because of a storm, it refunds the full amount or changes the ticket to the next sailing. If you cancel more than 24 hours ahead, you get everything back; within 24 hours, or if you book and cancel within that period, there is no refund, and the date cannot be changed either. Groups of ten or more lose the amount if they cancel with less than 48 hours' notice. If you miss the boat or the bus, there is no refund.