The Aran Islands

Check-in is 20 minutes prior to Train Departure Time.  Customer Service Desk at Heuston Station where our Check-In representative will be in their yellow jacket!
Check in for 07:35 departure from Dublin Heuston Station, opened in 1844 as the headquarters of the Great Southern & Western Railway and is now the official principal station of Iarnród Éireann, Ireland’s national railway company. As your train departs, we travel in a south westerly direction, through Dublin's western suburbs and then through the lush fertile countryside of Co. Kildare. Our journey takes us through the Curragh which is famous for its racecourse, home of the Irish Derby, and there are many stud farms in the vicinity. Your route takes you into the midlands and the Bog of Allen, vast tracts of peat-land. Before then we pass through the County Town of Tullamore and then to Clara across the gentle farmlands of north Offaly. The train crosses the Shannon marks the historic border between the province of Leinster and Connacht –the historic province of the West of Ireland. You are now heading due west, surrounded by peat bog on both sides of the line. On the last few kilometres before Galway, you will get your first glimpse of Galway Bay.

Arrive into Galway were you will be brought to the Aer Arran mini-coach for transfer to Connemara Airport for your short flight to Inis Mór. Irish is the spoken language on the Aran Islands although the locals will be more than happy to speak to you in English. For many, the highlight of the tour is the formidable pre-Christian fort of Dún Aonghusa, with spectacular sea-cliffs on the western side and unspoilt views of the Atlantic Ocean. Flight times may vary occasionally to cater for the numbers flying.

Notes on Aran: Your tour of Inis Mór begins and ends at the island's airport and includes stops at 'Seven Churches' (15 minutes), Dún Aonghusa (75 minutes) and Kilronan for lunch (45 minutes).

On arrival back at Galway you will be brought to the Tourist Office. You now should have some time in Galway city centre for exploring and/or shopping.

Please note: Should weather conditions be such as to curtail flights you will be taken on an alternative tour to Connemara and refunded the difference.  No further refund available should you decide not to go to Connemara for any reason.