Galway & Aran Islands Day Tour

Single Day Tour Starts in Dublin, Heuston Station & Ends in Dublin, Heuston Station

Tour highlights

This one day tour from Dublin offers a unique opportunity to visit Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands and one of the most popular vacation destinations in Ireland

Itinerary

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Depart from Dublin to Galway

Check in for 07:35 departure from Dublin Heuston Station. Opened in 1844 as the headquarters of the Great Southern & Western Railway, it is now the official principal station of Iarnród Éireann, Ireland’s national railway company.

As your train departs, it will travel in a south westerly direction, through Dublin's western suburbs and then through the lush fertile countryside of Co. Kildare. Your journey will take you through the Curragh, which is famous for its racecourse, home of the Irish Derby, and there are many stud farms in the vicinity. This route takes you into the midlands and the Bog of Allen, vast tracts of peat-land. Before then, you will pass through the County Town of Tullamore and then to Clara across the gentle farmlands of north Offaly.

The train crosses the Shannon, which 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 kilometers before Galway, you will get your first glimpse of Galway Bay.

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Galway Transfer to Connemara Airport

Arrive into Galway, where you will be brought to the Aer Arann mini-coach for transfer to Connemara Airport for your short flight to Inis Mór.

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Aran Islands, 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 unspoiled 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). 

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.

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Galway City Sightseeing

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.

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Return to Dublin

You will be returning to Dublin Heuston Station at 09:45pm.

Tour operator

In association with Iarnród Éireann, Irish Rail, Railtours Ireland First Class offer Independent Travellers the chance to see a great portion of Ireland that they would not ordinarily be able to experience comfortably in 1 or more days.

All tours / vacations with accommodation included are guaranteed departures. With fast, comfortable Intercity trains and luxury coaches we offer wonderful vacations.

Discover our range of tours from Ireland's Ancient East to the Wild Atlantic Way!

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The Railtours Ireland First Class team: Peter, Jennifer, Fiona, Melena, David and Mervyn - all Ireland experts are here to advise, plan and book your Railtours Ireland First Class vacation. We look forward to welcoming you to Ireland and on board our service. 

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Professional and personal service every step of the way. No ask is too big, no query too small, we're here to take the stress out of booking your dream vacation. We're an Irish American company with the sort of insider knowledge not available anywhere else. Anything is possible when you book with Irish Studio Travel, because it’s your Ireland, your way.

What's included

Set on the West Coast of Ireland in the mouth of Galway Bay, Inis Mór is a bastion of traditional Irish language, culture and music, unique in its geology, archaeology and history.

What's included:

  • Return rail travel
  • Reserved seats on the train
  • Flight to Inis Mór
  • Railtours Ireland host throughout
  • Visitor attraction admissions
  • Escorted coach
  1. Note: Check-in is 20 minutes prior to train departure time. Customer service desk at Heuston Station where Railtours Ireland check-in representative will be in their yellow jacket!

Notes on Aran: 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.

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