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Sin é
Cinn An Bhaile,
Inis
Meain,
Aran Islands,
Galway Bay
West of Ireland
Minibreaks
€199
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A summer’s day on Inis
Meain Traditional Aran turf boats in Rosaveal
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“Starting in 1986 the cottages were
restored by a group of friends and are now occupies year round,
bringing life back to an Irish speaking village that had sadly gone
into decline. After generations of hardship and decline the sound
of young children playing can once again be heard amongst the sound
of the farm animals.”
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The Cottage
Our Edge of Europe eco-cottage is in an
area of outstanding natural beauty. Heating is via a modern
under-floor system - powered by the windmills, and a turf/coal-fired
solid fuel stove. Our water is filtered pure rainwater. The food
supply is organic, supplied by a close knit island community that
lives close to nature. They grow delicious organic potatoes in a
perfect loamy mix of seaweed and sand. They fish the Atlantic sustainably for
lobster and salmon in currachs. Artists, writers, botanists and
nature lovers have long been drawn to the island's unique natural
beauty, its strong local tradition, language and heritage. Inis Meain also produces
beautiful clothing exported to some of the finest fashion stores in
he world. They are available at the ‘factory outlet’, a 20 minute
walk away.
The cottage stands on the highest point of the island enjoys magical
views over Galway Bay - to the purple mountains of Connemara, the hills of
Clare to the East and the distant mountains of Kerry to the South.
It is a truly breathtaking vista, constantly changing with the
weather and always alive with the comings and goings of fishing
boats, the inter-island ferries, and the small planes that service
the three islands.
The living quarters
The cottage has been sensitively restored to
keep faith to the ancient 150 year fisherman’s home while providing
a warm and comfortable dwelling
 
Main upstairs
loft bedroom
Study and bedroom
 
Family
bathroom
Loft bedroom
 
living room separate
kitchen dining room
  
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Nature on
Aran
  
 
Inis Meain flowers in Spring Potatoes
from the garden
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- The
cottage has a modern underfloor heating system as well as an
'open-view' solid-fuel stove which burns peat briquettes or coal.
- The
cottage kitchen is by Miele and is well equipped with appliances,
including gas hob, electric oven, microwave, dishwasher and
contemporary furnishings.
- The
cottage can be rented year round, - whether
- The
thatched pub on Inis Meain has an architectural gem where closing
hour never seems to come.
- There
are two shops where fresh food can be obtained and newspapers are
flown in daily from Galway.
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Getting to the island
Daily Service ferry
April
1st - October 31st
Ex. Rossaveal: 10.30am,
6:30pm
Ex. Islands: 8.30am, 4:30pm
Ferries Ph: +353-91-561767 : Island ferries email island@iol.ie
www.aranislandferries.com
tel
00-353-91-568903 fax 353-91-568538 You should purchase your ticket for
the boat in advance
Inis Meain by Plane :
  
Depart
from Inverin airport in Connemara via
Aer Arann . Flight time approx. 15 min. Daily flights to the three
Islands all year long. Flights every hour during
peak season. Aer Arann Islands ph:
00353 (0) 91-593034 E-mail Aer Arann : aerarann@iol.ie
http://www.aerarannislands.ie/
Flights to Ireland
There
are three nearby airports. The closest is Galway (Aer Arann from Luton
twice a day). Shannon, (numerous Aer Lingus
flights from Heathrow), and Knock for Ryan Air from Stanstead. Cars
can be parked securely (CCTV) at Inverin airport or at Rosaveal port.
Supplies
There
are two small shops on the island. However it is advisable to order
your fresh provisions in advance from the mainland shop in Spiddal
that supplies the Aran islands and have them delivered to the boat.
The best way is to fax an order (details below) to Siopa an Phobail (literally
'the peoples' shop') in Spiddal before you set off with your credit
card details & expiry date and they will box it all up and deliver
to the boat for delivery to the pier on the island.
Siopa an Phobail is a ‘Super Value’ foodmarket and
petrol station Inverin. It’s
a big filling station/supermarket on the road to Rosaveal just after
Spiddal. Butchers are on duty from 8am so you can purchase food on way
to ferry or call to have it delivered to boat between 8am and 9am any
day. If flying by the 8.45 am flight for example you can pick up your
provisions at 8 am while on the way to the airport 10 mins away.
Tel : 00-353-91 593020 Fax: 00 -353-91-593338 place orders for
next day before 1pm
Key Contacts:
Bartley Faherty (above) is our neighbour and caretaker – he
is the first port of call if things go wrong. 00-353 (0) 99-73029 mob 0877759965
Michileen - runs a taxi
service and can pick up from the pier and take you to the cottage. Its
a 15 min walk without bags - some of it up a steep hill. His mobile no
00353-872959437 home 00-353
(0) 99-73993. His wife Ann
looks after the cottage and keeps it clean.
Co-OP Bridin Concannon is manager
of island co-op 00 353 (0)
99-73010 (o) and extremely knowledgeable.
In
emergencies there is a resident nurse on the island and a doctor on
call. Patients can be airlifted to
Galway
Fishermen: There are several active
lobster and long line fishermen on Inis Meain using the traditional
currach to set pots and catch fish. Both have provided lobster, crab
mackerel and Pollack to the cottage over the years at very fair
prices. Talk to them on the pier at the end of the day. Sean looks
after the garden and can supply potatoes for a modest price.
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Booking
from overseas, payment in € Euro please.
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Booking
Terms: 1/3 deposit, balance to be paid 6 weeks before
arrival date, for bookings made within 6 weeks of your holiday start
payment in full, and last minute bookings payment in full. Cheques
made payable to L Doyle can be in Euro or Sterling equivalent (we
use xe.com). You can also transfer funds electronically. Details on
request.
You
may have to cancel your holiday so We RECOMMEND that you have holiday
Cancellation
Insurance Protection
.
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Arrivals from 1pm on day of arrival
(when coming by boat which arrives at 11.30 am we request that you
stop in the pub for a pint while the cottage is prepared!) and before
10 am on day of departure, late or delayed arrivals; a
telephone call would be appreciated. 00-353-9973029 or 9973993
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Details:
The cottage sleeps 6 and
is ideal for families or couples. There are additional charges when
more than 2 adults are staying.
A €75 fee is payable upon arrival to the caretaker to cover your fuel,
electricity, and island environmental charges. Pets (well behaved) are
welcome. No smoking inside this thatched cottage. Bicycles can be
rented locally during Summer months. Mackerel, Pollack and rockfish
can be caught in abundance from the pier and other locations around
the island.
Weekends Low season: Euro 250 - 400 Fri, Sat, depart Sun pm
Depending on numbers. High season (Jun-Sep + holidays): Euro 350 - 550 per week.
Minibreaks Low
season:
Euro 199 - 450 Monday to Friday. High
season (Jun-Sep + holidays): Euro 400 - 550 per week. Depending on
numbers
Week-long
stays Low season: Euro 450 - 550 per week. High season (Jun-Sep + holidays): Euro 650 - 750 per week.
Depending on numbers
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PRICES: There
are no meters or hidden extras payable on arrival beyond the fee of
€75 payable to Bartley the caretaker. This covers an island
environmental charge, fuel and cleaning. A warm fire awaits every
visitor. Prices include hot water, heating, electricity and bills.
Beds are made ready to sleep in and towels are provided.
Extras:
Add 10% extra if more than two adults are
staying, or add 15% to original price if more than 4 adults in party
(sleeps 6 max, plus cot)
Well-behaved pets allowed at €10 for one pet per
holiday or €15 for two.
Discounts:
Take off 10% of the price of a second break if
staying for more than 7 nights in one stay.
Take 5% off if you are a guest who has stayed in
any of our accommodation in the last 18 months
or take 10% off if you are a guest who has stayed at least twice in
our accommodation
We can often accommodate non-standard breaks starting and finishing
on any day of the week
Please just e-mail
us with your requirements.
Postcards from
the Edge of Europe
"What a lovely place you have created. Thanks for a great
holiday and making us feel so welcome." ~ Michael and Paula from
Dublin, who stayed Sept 06
"Thank
you for making this place such a special place. We have had a
creative 2 weeks. Hope come back again soon.." Peter and family who
stayed in August 2006
"Wonderful
scenery and a beautiful, immaculately kept cottage. Thanks very
much."
~ Jim, Kieran and
Paulette O’ Toole from Belfast, May 2006
Currach on pebble beach
Electricity for Inis Meain is now provided by
environmentally friendly windpower.
ndicate
'Vacancies'. Blue squares indicate 'No Vacancies'. If the dates you
want are taken, perhaps one of our other properties is available.
Check our 'Places to Stay' Menu
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Landscapes of Aran
 
Looking towards
Aran (Inis Oirr) from Doolin. Wind power on Inis
Meain
 
Islanders
photographed by Synge C1900 Daybreak (from
cottage) over Galway Bay
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You have made it to Inis Meain,
now how to find us.
Ideally arrange in advance for Michileen’s hackney to pick you up at
the pier, see numbers above. If on foot, take the high road, (first
left from the pier) and ask any islander for directions to the thatched cottages beside Bartley
Faherty’s – there are three. Ours is next to his house on the same
side of the road. It is a 20- minute up hill walk from the pier. Take
the road left (stop at Wilma’s B&B for a cup f tea) walk up to the
pub (pint) follow along past An Dun restaurant (dinner), we are just
around the corner…
The
pub on Inis Meain
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The
Aran
Islands, are the Westernmost islands of Europe lying some 30
miles out into the Atlantic off Galway Bay. The middle of the
three islands Inis Meain (The Middle Island) is possibly the
most wildly spectacular yet peaceful place to be found in Europe.
Come
to witness the power of an Atlantic
storm, the explosion of wild
flowers in Spring, or the long Summer days where the light never
seems to fade, nor the pubs close.
The
cottage is one of the oldest inhabited buildings on Inis Meain. It was
built in the 1850s by our
neighbour Seanai’s great grandfather’s family. Sitting on the edge of Europe, it is in an
area of outstanding natural beauty. Up to six people can experience beautiful surroundings and
modern comforts without adversely impacting the delicate ecosystem of
Inis Meain, a designated Special
Area of Conservation. Our thatched fisherman's cottage is now a
restored environmentally-friendly dwelling, powered by the islands
three wind generators that harvest electricity from the Atlantic
winds.
The property is over two stories and with a master bedroom in the
upstairs loft and two modern bathrooms. There is sufficient privacy
for two couples, or a family. We have drawn on the ancient skill of
Aran thatchers who use with straw –although the internal structure is
protected from the elements by a layer of tin.
But what people love about the cottage is the peaceful and beautiful
location. Tucked under the brow of a hill that protects it from the
prevailing South Westerlies,
the cottage has dramatic unobstructed views of Galway Bay and the purple mountains of Connemara, (the famous Twelve
Bens.) It is a great place to take families and there is lots of safe
outside space for kids to roam about in.
Padraig’s thatched pub is a 7 minute walk on a quiet country road.
An Dun, serving excellent food is 3 minutes by foot. Upon arrival there will
be a roaring fire waiting for you and Inis
Meain
will be yours to enjoy. The cottage is cosy, with underfloor heating
in the ground floor and is furnished to a high standard.
. Click HERE to see a map
Kitchen with cooker, microwave fridge, etc. washing
machine. Breakfast table.
Lounge/ Dining room with sofa, armchairs, solid fuel
Clearview stove. Dining area seats 4-6.
Bedroom 1: Double bed. En-suite
Bedroom 2: Twin brass bed
Bedroom 3/loft: Twin and single bed
Family bathroom: Walk in shower in modern bathroom
with underfloor heating
Garden (enclosed) cottage garden planted with Aran
potatoes, (according to season) Free access to countless roads and
boreens that criss cross Inis Meain.
Please note that a maximum of two small well-behaved dogs are allowed
(€10 total surcharge for one pet, €15 if
two stay)
What is there to
do locally?
Stay 'home' & relax, watch the comings and
goings of ferry and fishing boats in the bay, watch Aer Aran Cessnas
take off in Inverin on the mainland and land on Inis Meain 8 minutes
later and explore the fields for wild
flowers extinct on the mainland.
Walk to Synge’s Chair (10 minutes) perched 200 feet above
the foaming Atlantic and reflect on the plays he wrote 100 years ago –
inspired by this location.
Dine out on local seafood and organic produce. Shop at the World famous Inis Mean knitwear factory
and museum, (suppliers to Barney’s NY, Harrods etc)
Take a
boat trip (Inis Oir 10 minutes) to see neighbouring
islands. Watch the coast for whales and dolphins. Fish for Pollack and
mackerel
Take a day trip to
Inis Mor to
explore Dun Aengus.
Fly to Galway for
the day to visit the extraordinary organic market.
Relax and enjoy the peace, quiet. Take in the
ever changing weather. From the quiet calm of summer to the Atlanic
storms of winter.
Upon arrival by ferry or plane a hackney can be arranged to bring you from
the pier where the ferry stops. This is recommended as there is a
steep hill to climb. The drive is 5 minutes. On foot it will take
15-20 minutes
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