Cottage
Under the thatch.........
The view from the front window
A rainbow touches neighbour Bartley Folan's house. (Don Critchfield, Oct 08)
The details...
The restored Edge of Europe cottage (take a tour inside) is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Underfloor heating- powered by the islands three windmills and solid fuel stove keep it comfortable year round.
The cottage has WiFi for those who cannot be without email or want to contribute to the Aran-Isles.com blog. Bring your own laptop and headset and skype to the world.
The island is slow food heaven. Wild salmon, crab, mackerel and pollock from local waters and organically grown vegetables and spuds from the cottage garden.
The cottage accommodation is over two stories with a master bedroom in the upstairs loft and two modern bathrooms, (one quite tiny). There is enough of room for two couples, or a family. For someone seeking enough solitude to write or paint it is ideal.
More details...
Above, Master bedroom and loft room
The cottage (still not taken the tour inside?) sleeps up to 6 and is best suited to a family. A €75 fee is payable upon arrival to the caretaker to cover your cleaning and local environmental charges. No smoking inside this thatched cottage please.
Bicycles can be rented locally during Summer months.
Mackerel, Pollack and rockfish in abundance from the pier and other locations around the island.
An Aran lobster waiting for the pot
.
Week-long stays high season (Sat to Sat)
Euro 550 - 850 per week. Depending on numbers
Week-long stays Low season: Euro 400 - 550 per week.
PRICES: There are no meters or hidden extras payable on arrival beyond the E75 fee to Bartley our caretaker. This fee covers an island environmental charge, fuel and cleaning. awaits every visitor. Prices include hot water, heating, electricity and bills. Bed linen and towels are provided.
Cars and shops
There are almost no cars on the island, which makes it a safe a peaceful place. Its is easy to get around by walking and nowhere is more than 30 minutes away. There are also very few street lights which makes it wonderful for stargazing, but its a good idea to bring a flashlamp as the occasional unlit bicycle may come flying around a corner in the middel of the night, Flo O Brien style.
There is a well stocked shop on the island, 10 minutes walk from the cottage. Many people order fresh food from Inverin, Co Galway and it arrives on the morning boat to be picked up at the pier or delivered to the cottage by arangement.
Aran spuds from the garden, depending on the season
There is a thatched pub 12 minutes walk from the cottage and another bar in he hotel near the airstrip.
FAQs: Questions and answers
Booking details and availability
Weather Forecast (if you must)
Our ever helpful neighbour and caretaker Bartley Faherty
An Aran artichoke (perhaps a first for Inis Meain)
Farewell Inis Meain, Galway bound
Book other accommodation on the Aran Islands here
Or book our Neighbour Philomena's wonderful thatched cottage right across the street
| Cinn and Bhaile, The West Village |
| |||
| ||||
Once common on Inis Meain, thatched roof cottages and outhouses are increasingly rare, and this could have important implications for biodiversity and crop security at a time of climate change....read on
Cliffs of Moher in the distance
Under the Thatch and 
Lovenests