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Group of three islands off the west coast of Ireland
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Patrick.charpiat assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
The Aran Islands (Oileáin Árann) are three islands in County Galway in the west of Ireland. They have stark treeless scenery of barren limestone which makes the green of their fields and heathland shine all the brighter. They're dotted with prehistoric forts and early Christian sites, and are within a short ferry ride or a 10 minute flight from the mainland.
By plane
Aer Árann fly several times a day from Connemara (or Minna) Airport (NNR) at Inverin, 31 km west of Galway city. There are at least a couple of flights daily year round, more in summer.
The ferries from the mainland always call at Inis Mór and usually at the other islands. This means an inter-island trip is possible most days year round, and a day-trip is feasible most days in summer.
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