QUERY: Has anyone had experience with the round-trip ferries or Aer Arann flights to Aran Island? Overnight accommodations on the island? Planning trip to Ireland summer 2006 and hope to visit this (or another) island with ambience, heard travellers love the uniqueness of the islands, but worry about rough seas/sea-sickness getting there and back. Apparently there are also islands connected to the mainland with land bridges? Thank you for any input. Jean

I was there in 1992 and things may have changed since then. I took the ferry from Galway and had no motion problems. As I recall, it was a speedy trip.I know of no bridges connecting the isles-boats were the only way at that time. there are accommodations on the islands for overnight stays but should be arrange in advance. at some times of the year, there are boat trips from points closer than Galway. I'd check withthe Galway tourist bureau for more details. good luck, djm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <jeanrice@cet.com> To: <IRELAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 1:58 PM Subject: Galway to Aran Islands - Query > QUERY: Has anyone had experience with the round-trip ferries or Aer Arann > flights to Aran Island? Overnight accommodations on the island? Planning > trip to Ireland summer 2006 and hope to visit this (or another) island > with ambience, heard travellers love the uniqueness of the islands, but > worry about rough seas/sea-sickness getting there and back. Apparently > there are also islands connected to the mainland with land bridges? Thank > you for any input. Jean >

Jean, There are 3 islands in the Aran Island group, accessible by ferry from Doolin in Clare, Galway City and Rossaveal in Connemara. The one from Rossaveal is the shortest, about 35 minutes. Or, one can fly Aer Aerann to the islands in about 10 minutes, but they are small planes. On the main island in Kilronan there is a show (singing, dancing, etc) called Ragus - I highly recommend - not as 'touristy' as some of the other shows that can be seen around Ireland. I've never been to the islands, but saw this troupe when they visited Milwaukee for Irish Fest last year. The only island I can think of accessible via a bridge is Achill Island off the coast of Co. Mayo. There are lots of islands surrounding Ireland, both inhabited and uninhabited. Valencia, Tory, Rathlin, Clare Island, Garinish, Whiddy, the Blaskets, the Skellig Islands, the Saltee Islands are just a few of the islands that I can think of at the moment. Oh now I want to go too!!!! Every time I visit I say I'm going to go to at least one island and have yet to do so. Go to the Irish Tourist Board website and look up a travel agent with the Shamrock Club distinction. They have been to Ireland and have passed an extensive exam on Ireland and tourism. Or search on Google and you'll come up with websites for the various island groups also. Hope this helps somewhat. Beth ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <jeanrice@cet.com> To: <IRELAND-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 12:58 PM Subject: [IRELAND] Galway to Aran Islands - Query > QUERY: Has anyone had experience with the round-trip ferries or Aer Arann flights to Aran Island? Overnight accommodations on the island? Planning trip to Ireland summer 2006 and hope to visit this (or another) island with ambience, heard travellers love the uniqueness of the islands, but worry about rough seas/sea-sickness getting there and back. Apparently there are also islands connected to the mainland with land bridges? Thank you for any input. Jean > > > ==== IRELAND Mailing List ==== > Ireland Mailing List website..surname registry, links, lookup volunteers,unsubscribe, change your subscription from L to D or D to L http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/IrelandList/ > >