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Introduction
The Cottage
The Location
Amenities
Bookings
Literature References

        On the edge of Europe in Western Ireland, 30 miles out into the Atlantic off Galway Bay, lie the fabled Aran Isles: Inis Mor (The Big Island), Inis Meain (The Middle Island) and Inis Ere (The Small Island). Inis Meain is the least known of the three islands being just 2 miles long by a mile wide.
        It is where John Millington Synge wrote his play 'Playboy of the Western World' and is widely held to be one of the most beautiful and tranquil locations in the West Of Ireland.
        On the highest point of Inis Meain, nestling in a third of an acre garden, is one of the oldest traditional thatched cottages on the island, which has been sympathetically modernised for use as a holiday home.

        Built 200 years or so ago, the cottage looks out from its front aspect over the sea to Connemara, to the left is Inis Mor and to the right is County Clare and the Cliffs of Moher and, eventually, Kerry. The views are unimpeded and are breathtaking.
        Inside the cottage is a traditional sitting room with large stone-arched fireplace, coal/peat fire and comfortable armchairs and sofa. All the floors are dark grey slate.
        A small kitchen (10'' x 8'') contains all the modern appliances needed, including gas cooker, microwave, washing machine, toaster, espresso machine.
        A double bedroom off the sitting room has views across the bay to the mainland. To the rear is a 20'' south facing sun lounge overlooking the alpine garden which also has many trees. Off this is the bathroom/WC, with bath/power shower. Also off the sun lounge is a very large main bedroom with double bed and large wardrobes - there is a view from 2 sides across the sea and to County Clare.
        The cottage accommodates four comfortably (in new beds with mattresses on the slightly firm side). Two sofas convert into further double beds if needed. All linen/duvets/blankets etc are provided.
        The cottage is well decorated and maintained throughout. Heating is by coal fires and portable oil-filled radiators - there is more than enough heating to keep the whole cottage warm. Hot water is via an immersion heater and/or Raeburn solid fuel fire.

        The island, and particularly where the cottage is located, is characterised by silence. There is no traffic (except an occasional moped or tractor), the lanes are safe to walk in, and the air is just about the least polluted in Europe (cf. EEC report).
         The cleanliness of the environment has allowed a unique range of flora to evolve, including orchids, cowslips, gentian, drifts of sea thrift, honeysuckle, harebells, burnet rose, bloody cranesbill and many more (the wildlife environment is in some respects an extension of the famous burren landscape in County Clare.
        There is a plentiful supply of seafood, especially crab, mackerel and lobster (live lobster currently £6 each). Fishermen can enjoy sea fishing from the local rocks or by boat from the mainland.
        The weather, being on the Atlantic coastline, is variable but during the summer months is extremely warm (20 - 26 celsius). There are showers but these tend to be short-lived. June, July and August have tended to be sunny and very warm throughout. The Aran Isles are in the Gulf Stream, so there is virtually no frost or snow at any time of the year.
         The island is made up of a patchwork quilt of small fields divided by the famous Aran hand-built stone walls, and small lanes interweave the fields. Every part of the island is reachable safely on foot. Children in particular find it a magical place as they can play and wander without fear and discover the many different kinds of farm animals and rock pool life.
        On the lee side of Inis Meain is a spectacular white sand beach 0.75 miles long which visitors often find they have more or less to themselves. There is swimming in a crystal clear sea. On the opposite side (10 minutes walk from the cottage) are stunning cliffs which face directly onto the Atlantic (the next stop is Newfoundland).