Join us for a trip across the water on Saturday, June 20!

Gaeltacht an Eachreidh is organising a day out on Inis Oirr, the smallest of the beautiful Aran Islands, for Gaeilgeoirs from the east of the Corrib.

We will be joined by a local guide with a vast knowledge of the island’s history and heritage, before meeting the Irish Language Officer from Kentucky who is boosting Irish on the island.

Participants in the walking tour will also have a couple of hours to explore the island on their own before taking the boat back to Galway.

After taking the boat from Rossaveel, we will meet up outside Tigh Ned, the island’s legendary music pub, for a gentle but informative 90-minute to two hour walking tour of the island with islander and historian Cathleen Ni Chonghaile.

Cathleen has phenomenal knowledge of the history, heritage, and nature of the island – she also published a comprehensive map of the island, with references to the most miniscule townlands, some years ago.

Then we will get to meet the man from Kentucky, Davis Sandefer, who is promoting the Irish language on the island. Davis will chat to us for 20 minutes about his work as a language planning officer on Inis Oirr.

Davis’ story is amazing. He studied Irish at Notre Dame Univesaity in the United States as part of his first semester for a science degree. With no direct links to Ireland, he is now completely fluent in the language.

People will then have free time to explore the island on their own, including the craft shop, two hotels, and the pub.

This tour is free of charge to people from Gaeltacht an Eachreidh, but you have to arrange your own transport to and from the island.

Please note that those who are entitled to FREE TRAVEL can travel to Inis Oirr free of charge if you contact Aran Island Ferries by phone.

Our group will be meeting up after the 10.30 boat arrives from Rossaveel (at about 11.40am) and returning home on the 4.30pm boat from Inis Oirr.

Please book a FREE ticket for the walking tour here on our Eventbrite page, as places are limited.

You can book your boat (and bus) ticket at https://www.aranislandferries.com/ or give them a call at (091) 568903, particularly if you are entitled to free travel. Aran Island Ferries operate a bus from Galway city centre which links up with the ferry to Inis Oirr.

We are also urging people to “car pool” if travelling from Carnmore, Claregalway, and Annaghdown. Please arrange this with your Irish-speaking friends.

This is our first trip across the water since we began implementing our language plan and we are really looking forward to a fun day out on the smallest of the three Aran Islands, a place where Irish is very much the living language of the local people.

After securing your place on the ferry, please secure your place on the tour at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turas-go-dti-inis-oirr-tickets-1990569023534

Bígí linn!

There is a bus from the city centre at 9.30am which links with the Árann Island Ferries boat to Inis Oirr. This is a great option for those who don’t fancy a long drive.

You could also book a boat with Doolin Ferry Co and meet us on the island:  https://doolinferry.com