Inis Meáin or Inishmaan is the middle island of the three Aran Islands of County Galway in the west of Ireland. It's about 5 km by 3 km with a population in 2022 of 184, whose primary language is Irish. Like the others it's an extension of the mainland's limestone Burren, with stony terrain and precious little ground suitable for farming. It's the least touristy of the three but has transport and visitor amenities. Dún Conor ring fort is its main sight.

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Map of Inis Meáin

Walk everywhere. The village and main sights are in the centre of the island near the old landing jetty. Perhaps your accommodation will pick you up from the new pier or airfield; otherwise just hike up the lane and be grateful you're not lumping a heavy basketful of kelp to your rain-lashed field.

• 53.0835-9.59481 Dún Conor (Dún Conchuir). Elliptical stone cashel or ring fort, some 69 m x 35 m with walls up to 6 m thick, probably from 1st millennium BC. Always accessible, and you'll probably have it to yourself. It's at the highest point of the island, with great views over the patchwork of fields and embracing sea. Free. (updated May 2025)
• Carrownlisheen Cross stands 100 m south of the cashel.
• 53.0838-9.59022 Templesaghtmacree ("church of the seven sons of the king") is the scrappy remains of an 8th-10th century church. By it are Leaba Cinndeirge, the grave of St Cinndeirg, and Tobar Cinndeirge her holy well; nothing is known of her life and deeds. The adjacent Roman Catholic church is from 1938 but has re-used some of the old stones.

• Teach Synge just west of Templesaghtmacree is the cottage where JM Synge spent summer 1898-1902. The island influenced his Playboy of the Western World and Riders to the Sea. It's now a small museum open daily noon-2PM, adult €3.
• 53.0843-9.61253 Cathaoir Synge is the sheltered spot on the cliff edge where JMS used to enjoy sitting and watching the view. There's a good walk along the clifftops south from here. The clochan or beehive cell on the lane from the village may be 6th century.
• 53.0807-9.58014 Dún Fearbhaí is a cashel probably much later than Dún Conor, say 9th century AD. Unusually, it's square not round.
• Cill Cheannanach (Church of the Canons or of St Gregory) is near the old landing stage on the east of the island.
• 53.0872-9.57575 Carrownlisheen Wedge Tomb was built 4000–2500 BC, so even the latest of those dates would make it by far the oldest human structure on these islands.

• Beach: the best is Ceann Gainimh north of the airfield.

• Siopa Ruaidhrí Beag is the island store and post office, open M-Sa 10:30AM-1PM, 2-5PM, Su noon-2PM.
• Inis Meáin Knitting is open W-F 1:30-3PM, Sa 11:30AM-3PM.

Inis Meáin no longer has a free-standing restaurant, head to the pub.

• Teach Ósta, Carrownlisheen H91 NRC3, ☏ +253 99 73003. The most famous pub on the island, since it's the only one. Welcoming place, food served till 7PM, in summer it often has live music. (updated May 2025)

• No campsite, but ask around if you can pay to pitch a tent in someone's field.
• Inis Meáin Island Stays run two self-catering properties and can deliver prepared food.
• 53.0835-9.57691 Tig Congaile, Inis Meáin H91 P497, ☏ +353 87 203 5171. B&B and restaurant with views of the Cliffs of Moher and Inis Oirr. Cuisine by Vilma, whose food is not to be missed. (updated May 2025)

Finish up any urgent calls on the ferry. As of May 2025, some individual premises on the island have connections but there's no general signal.

• Inis Mór has many prehistoric and early Christian sites, and dramatic cliffs.
• Inis Oírr also has early Christian sites, though it's most familiar as "Craggy Island" with a shipwreck from the opening sequence of the sitcom Father Ted.
• On the mainland at Rossaveel, head east for Galway city or west for the Connemara coast.
• At Doolin see the Cliffs of Moher and the sparse limestone scenery of the Burren.