ATTRACTIONS OF INIS OÍRR
ATTRACTIONS OF INIS OÍRR
COMHAR CAOMHÁN TEO
www.inisoirr-island.com
was established in 1970. The co-op plays a central role in the development of the island, in the economic, social and cultural developments that take place. For further information please visit our website.
ÁRAS ÉANNA
www.araseanna.ie
is an Arts Centre, a community centre, a crafts centre and a heritage centre. It is for the people of Inis Oírr and for the larger public. Traditional and contemporary arts are catered for.
CAISLEAN UI BHRIAIN & DÚN FHORMNA (O’ BRIEN’S CASTLE)
This is a large three story castle built by the O Brien family who owned the island up until 1585. It is built with Dún Formna which dates back to the stone age.
CILL GHOBNAIT (ST. GOBNAIT’S CHURCH)
This small church dates from the 8th or 9th century. It is dedicated to Saint Gobnait of Ballyvourney in Co. Cork, who is believed to have fled Inis Oírr for safety from enemies on the mainland.
TEAMPALL CHAOMHÁN (ST. KEVIN’S CHURCH)
Caomhán the patron saint of the island, was a disciple of St. Enda. The church ruins date back to the 10-14th century and annually cleared of blown sand by the locals. The entrance to the graveyard which is a mass of shells was a kitchen midden of Early Christian or Medieval date. Caomhán’s Grave (Leaba Chaomháin) is also in this graveyard. A festival is celebrated on the 14th of June each year in St. Caomhán’s honor.
TOBAR ÉANNA (ST. ENDA’S WELL)
St. Éanna is the patron saint of Inis Mór, the holy well of St.Enda is built in his honor although now is ruins the well is greatly respected by the islanders.
THE PLASSEY WRECK
Located on Carraig na Finise is the wreck of the cargo vessel the “Plassey”, in 1960 the Plassy was thrown up on the Finnish rock in a wild storm. In later years with the strong Atlantic Ocean’s waves the wreck was thrown up on the rocks well above high tide mark. Thankfully no lives were lost, as the islanders saved all on board from harm during storm force weather using Breeches Buoy.
Aran Acupuncture is a Chinese Medicine practise with clinics in Renmore, Galway, and on Inis Oírr. All kinds of pain and illness, along with fertility and pregnancy issues are treated here, using distal and classical acupuncture techniques. Specialist treatments for problem skin and for facial rejuvenation are also available.
Mary McCarty started making patchwork quilts in 1992 when her sister requested one for her birthday. Before that fateful day, she had sewn everything from baby clothes to wedding dresses, but quilting captured her heart with its combination of practicality, artistic expression, and historical connection to the traditional skills of American women. Since moving to Inis Oírr from Madison, Wisconsin, thirteen years ago, she’s been making quilts in her studio on the island.
This spa is a beautiful haven in which to awaken your senses and relax the mind. A visit here will soothe the tension, stress and fatigue that greet our everyday.
Experience the
Inis Mór is the largest of the three islands. It’s principal village is Kilronan where there is a good, deep harbour. An excellent Visitor’s Centre, Ionad Arainn, for the history and culture of the island.
Inis Meáin the middle island. There is one pub which is thatched and kept in the old traditional style. There is no bank on the island, so the bank flies in with Aer Arann once a month for business.
Inis Oírr, the smallest island, contains the ruins of St. Kevin’s Church, or Teampal Chaomhain, now sunk deeply into a sandy hill close to the shore. The saint’s feast day is June 14th.