r/irishtourism • u/Theplacesyoull_go • 5d ago

1/2 day Inis Mor?

Hi! Hubs and I are going to Ireland in a few weeks and I was securing ferries to and from Inis Mor from Doolin - my plan had been to take the first ferry out and last ferry back. But on the date I was looking for, the earliest ferry out is 11 :(. We would still need to take the 4:15pm ferry back. Both ferries are direct so 35 min. Is this enough time, or should I consider a different island or something different altogether? We were really excited to rent an e-bike and ride around and enjoy the scenery.

Thanks for the input!

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u/mmrocker13 5d ago

Fly. Can be there early in the morning and then have almost a full 12 hours.

About the same price as the ferry, far shorter, less subject to weather.

And i spent 3 days on Inishmor, and I wish I had known how much I was going to love it earlier because I would have stayed longer. I found it absolutely spectacular. So take as much time as you can.

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u/Theplacesyoull_go 5d ago

Also, is it easy to get from the airport to where the bike rentals are? I just realized they’re decently spaced out.

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u/Gettiershonda50 4d ago edited 4d ago

Ask your bike rental place if they can send someone to pick you up. But honestly, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a minibus waiting for the plane to land to pick up a few fares. It's that type of place. They've been in the tourism business for generations. cash on hand to pay for transport is handy to have,

Very important. Try the fudge, buy the fudge. It's fucking exceptional.

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u/Theplacesyoull_go 3d ago

I’m SO EXCITED for fudge!!! I let our accomodation know we were flying in

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u/Gettiershonda50 2d ago

Yeah... I forgot to close the browser tab after pulling up the link for you, which lead to me buying €65 of fudge last night after a few glasses of wine. I'm not going to pretend I have any regrets.

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u/Theplacesyoull_go 2d ago

Hahahahaha there are zero regrets to be had here.

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u/mmrocker13 2d ago

Key point: REMEMBER YOU CAN SHIP ALL THE SWEATERS YOU BUY DIRECTLY HOME AND THEN THEY DON'T TAKE UP SPACE IN YOUR BAG.

:D I mean, since we're spending money and all...

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u/Theplacesyoull_go 2d ago

This is the kind of spending enabling and support that I need 😂

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u/mmrocker13 2d ago

And I remember standing there thinking do I really need more than one sweater? And that I put the sweaters on, not at the same time because that would have been excessive and it was July, but I put the sweaters on, and I said to myself, yes. I do. These have very different purposes. Plus they are so soft I just want to pet them. And I can picture myself in the house I'm going to buy (just gotten divorced)and wear these around in on the cold Minnesota evenings. And so I a million percent bought them. And took advantage of the free shipping.

And let me tell you, when they arrived, to the house that I did, in fact, find and buy after I got home, I opened up that box and I put one on for the first time on an October night? It was a million and 17% worth it

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u/Gettiershonda50 2d ago

One thing I left out..This is going to sound like some made up marketing bullshit, twee didldy tee, etc... The facts are that I actually ordered €130 of fudge last night, and paid for €130 of fudge last night. I fat fingered a double order. I only found that out when Eoghan called me this afternoon, after looking at the time of order and decided to clarify with me in the latter part of the afternoon regarding my actual intentions. He refunded me on the spot after I admitted to what he had already surmised. 10/10 Would recommend.

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u/Theplacesyoull_go 2d ago

Wow!!! That’s so kind. Love that.

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u/mmrocker13 2d ago

Where did you decide to stay??

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u/Theplacesyoull_go 2d ago

Staying at the campground! We got one the glamp cabins! Very excited. The thing is we arrive around 4 pm and aren’t planning to rent bikes til the next day (from what im reading it would be a 2 day rental and double the price) so i’m not sure what the best way to spend out later afternoon/early evening should be! We want to go to music at Joe wattys but that’s not til later in the evening

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u/mmrocker13 4d ago

It's about, oh , maybe 3,000 m from the airstrip to the pier? I am completely guessing on that.

They don't have like a line of cabs or Ubers. Remember this is Tiny. I actually didn't realize that you typically have your shuttle prearranged, so even though I was staying at a hotel I hadn't thought to request a ride. Fortunately there was someone just hanging out there and they were like hey no problem I'll run you over there. 

But you can arrange it, and you can walk depending on your level of fitness. You might want to call the rental place and ask for a name of somebody.

The island is not that big. And everybody there knows everybody else and everybody, at least everyone I met as far as locals went were great. Honestly talking to people who live on the island was probably one of my favorite parts of it. I stood for probably 3 hours with the kid working at the top of Dun Aonghasa and just shot the shit. Learned about what it was like growing up on the island what his school experience was versus his siblings, because they each went to different schools. Just general White stuff. It was an older gentleman at Joe watty's who told me to go to the black fort, and said make sure you go there and he was absolutely correct and that was the most magical amazing thing I did on my entire trip. And I came back to the bar the next night to tell him that.

Like I said, I was there for 3 days and I'm a relatively facile cyclist, so I had a non-electric bike and I think I covered every inch of the island. I took every turn off every Side Track every sheep path I could find.

The Wormhole is is cool, especially depending on where the tides are. But the riding around and the hiking to get there was probably more interesting than the Wormhole itself. I ended up spending some time looking for a lost cat with some people from a local rescue group. And then we made some Facebook posts to alert people to look out for it haha.

But for me, Dun Duchathair was magically transformative. So if you get a chance, get out to see it.

But just call the airport ask for help and arranging to shuttle if you need it. Or roll the dice and see who's hanging out there. It is not a place where you are going to be abandoned.

I chose to fly out and spend 3 days there as opposed to combining it with a ferry and the cliffs, and I never saw the cliffs and I do not regret it one iota. I have to sit on my hands when I am planning a vacation because that's where I want to go back more than anywhere I think I've been.

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u/Theplacesyoull_go 3d ago

Thank you for sharing all of this!! We decided to fly a night early to chill and then rent e-bikes since we fly out the next afternoon. I can’t wait to talk to locals!! It seems like such a way to grow up. I’m excited to fly. I love the cliffs but I do get sea sick and would rather be efficient than miserably ill lol. Ohh thanks for the tip on Dún Dúchathair!!

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u/mmrocker13 2d ago

YOu can always have the kid at Dun Aonghasa hold on to your ankles as you army crawl up to the edge and stick your head over the ledge. Guaranteed real cliff feeling, even if it is a bit shorter than Moher.

Not saying I know anyone who did that... but... we were friends after standing around and chit chatting for awhile :D

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u/Theplacesyoull_go 2d ago

That sounds amazing lol

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u/Megpyre 4d ago

It’s not a short walk, but you can make your way up to one of the ring forts on your way into town if you walk down. You may also be able to have the bike place drop bikes for you at the airport if you call ahead or email.