Galway City to Inis Mór ferry

19-04-2021 8:21pm #1

New ferry route launching from Galway City to Inis Mór!

https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/120576/new-route-with-a-twist-from-galway-city-to-inis-mr-this-summer

Ficheall · 19-04-2021 8:30pm

Nice

I always try to bring visitors to the Aran Islands, but the trip to Rossaveal/Doolin is offputting for some. Plus the boat in and out from the city should be a nice addition to the trip.

After covid settles down, of course..

biko · 20-04-2021 8:52am

Should be great for bringing tourists out and back, maybe also islanders that work in the city.

CCat · 20-04-2021 10:37am

I'm looking forward to it!

Mrs OBumble · 20-04-2021 10:42am

I'm not going to get excited about it until they announce a timetable, fares and Galway city berthing location.

Pretty sure we've seen announcements like this before.

20-04-2021 11:44am

"But final details of this exciting route, including a surprise addition to the return leg of the journey which takes in one of Ireland's most celebrated attractions, hasn't been revealed yet."

What could that be? Detour past the Cliffs of Moher? Salthill diving boards from a distance?

biko · 20-04-2021 11:58am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Pretty sure we've seen announcements like this before.

We have yeah, hopefully this time it will happen.

bennyineire · 20-04-2021 12:04pm

Difference this time though is they bought a boat specifically for this route so it will go ahead for sure.

Handy for islanders too for city shopping

inisboffin · 20-04-2021 12:50pm

The one years ago was very expensive, as far as I can remember.
But then again I remember 50p being loads of money as a studenty-type

Geuze · 20-04-2021 4:08pm

bennyineire wrote: »

Difference this time though is they bought a boat specifically for this route so it will go ahead for sure.

Handy for islanders too for city shopping

Can you explain?

Can the Rossaveel boat travel to Galway city instead? Your post seems to imply that some boats are suitable / not suitable?

timmyntc · 20-04-2021 4:14pm

Is it possible to run a regularly scheduled ferry out of Galway docks?

Can boats get in & out at low tide?

KevRossi · 20-04-2021 4:31pm

Deleted User wrote: »

"But final details of this exciting route, including a surprise addition to the return leg of the journey which takes in one of Ireland's most celebrated attractions, hasn't been revealed yet."

What could that be? Detour past the Cliffs of Moher? Salthill diving boards from a distance?

An installation of Teresa Mannion shouting "Don't make unnecessary journeys"

Students drinking and throwing up at the Spanish Arch?

The Oil Depot at the New Docks?

20-04-2021 4:38pm

Geuze wrote: »

Can you explain?

Can the Rossaveel boat travel to Galway city instead? Your post seems to imply that some boats are suitable / not suitable?

He means they bought this boat to use on the Galway City - Islands route. Their press release states this.

At no point is anything mentioned regarding suitability of different boats on different routes

bennyineire · 20-04-2021 5:13pm

Deleted User wrote: »

He means they bought this boat to use on the Galway City - Islands route. Their press release states this.

At no point is anything mentioned regarding suitability of different boats on different routes

Yep that's what I meant, thanks. Not sure how my post meant anything else

Storm 10 · 20-04-2021 6:35pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

I'm not going to get excited about it until they announce a timetable, fares and Galway city berthing location.

Pretty sure we've seen announcements like this before.

There have been no ferries from Galway Docks to the Aran Islands for a very long time now

inisboffin · 20-04-2021 8:11pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

There have been no ferries from Galway Docks to the Aran Islands for a very long time now

Late 80s I think! Seems like yesterday!

Edit, that was Naomh Éanna. I feel like there was one after that, but the 90s were a blur!

yer man! · 20-04-2021 8:17pm

inisboffin wrote: »

Late 80s I think! Seems like yesterday!

I don't think it was that long. Weren't a company offering it about 10 years ago? They sold the ferries off during the downturn, they were then picked up in the docks by a cargo vessel and said vessel dropped them into the water from about 20 - 30 meters in the air when the straps snapped. Or am I imagining things again....

20-04-2021 8:29pm

Was that the fast ferry across the bay to Clare?

inisboffin · 20-04-2021 8:29pm

yer man! wrote: »

I don't think it was that long. Weren't a company offering it about 10 years ago? They sold the ferries off during the downturn, they were then picked up in the docks by a cargo vessel and said vessel dropped them into the water from about 20 - 30 meters in the air when the straps snapped. Or am I imagining things again....

Do you mean the freight boat that runs a few times a week? If there was another passenger ferry I missed it for sure but I could be wrong.

stopthevoting · 20-04-2021 8:31pm

There was still a passenger ferry in the early 90s anyway

yer man! · 20-04-2021 8:33pm

It was aran direct ferries, they had two boats. I was convinced they went from the docks. I remember picking up a leaflet in the Radisson hotel after it opened and thinking that looks very convenient.

The boat that dropped into the water was the Clann Na nOilean ferry.

Was on RTE news at the time: https://www.rte.ie/news/galleries/2011/0408/299672-weekinpictures/

fran38 · 20-04-2021 8:33pm

I travelled to Innis Mor from the docks circa 2006/2008. Not being from Galway I assumed it was still a thing.

stopthevoting · 20-04-2021 8:38pm

This is on https://www.galwaytourism.ie/the-aran-islands/

"The travel time to Inis Mór from Galway City Docks is 90 minutes. From Rossaveal it is 40 minutes, and from Doolin it is 20 minutes. Alternatively it is just 10 minutes by air from the Aer Arran Airstrip just east of Rossaveal."
and would seem to suggest that there has been a service from Galway City fairly recently.

20-04-2021 9:01pm

Some history here from when this was discussed last year;
https://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/42930-galway-city-s-old-aran-ferry-service-to-be-restored

"The last State run operated Galway-Aran ferry service ended in the summer of 1988 when Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) used the custom Dublin-built Naomh Éanna completed at the Liffey Dockyard in 1958 to provide the joint passenger and freight service."

"Another custom built ferry Oileáin Árann built in 1992 but privately operated by Doolin based O'Brien Shipping served the direct city-islands route. Notably, this was the final ship to provide this link until sold to Samskip an Icelandic based company. " - looks like it operated the route 2005/2006.

Storm 10 · 20-04-2021 9:06pm

stopthevoting wrote: »

This is on https://www.galwaytourism.ie/the-aran-islands/

"The travel time to Inis Mór from Galway City Docks is 90 minutes. From Rossaveal it is 40 minutes, and from Doolin it is 20 minutes. Alternatively it is just 10 minutes by air from the Aer Arran Airstrip just east of Rossaveal."
and would seem to suggest that there has been a service from Galway City fairly recently.

There has been no passenger service to Aran for years the only service is freight and cars , the new boat can do Aran in less than an hour.

20-04-2021 9:10pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

There has been no passenger service to Aran for years the only service is freight and cars , the new boat can do Aran in less than an hour.

The new boat "will be one of five vessels carrying passengers on this journey".

Also - "This Galway-Inis Mór service will be a significant addition to the existing routes with passengers able to listen to an audio guide during the 90 minute trip."

Storm 10 · 20-04-2021 9:12pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Was that the fast ferry across the bay to Clare?

The fast ferry across the Bay was an inflatable with a cabin that held ten passengers it went to Ballyvoughan did not last a season too weather dependent

Storm 10 · 20-04-2021 9:35pm

Loads of pictures of the ferry fall and being loaded to go away on this website hundreds of pictures of ships in Galway. Lots of pictures of Galway harbour in the past and old ferries

https://galwayships.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=11

yer man! · 20-04-2021 9:48pm

Storm 10 wrote: »

Loads of pictures of the ferry fall and being loaded to go away on this website hundreds of pictures of ships in Galway. Lots of pictures of Galway harbour in the past and old ferries

https://galwayships.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=11

I remember standing near Hynes car park at the time and watching them lift it up and being very impressed that the straps could hold the weight of a whole ferry, and then...

Very eventful day altogether.

Psychlops · 20-04-2021 10:51pm

timmyntc wrote: »

Is it possible to run a regularly scheduled ferry out of Galway docks?

Can boats get in & out at low tide?

Not the docks, if anything I expect it to berth at the layby beside Galway RNLI Lifeboat, a strategic position to go from Galway at high & low tides as it is outside the docks.

bobbyss · 20-04-2021 11:10pm

Ficheall wrote:

Nice I always try to bring visitors to the Aran Islands, but the trip to Rossaveal/Doolin is offputting for some. Plus the boat in and out from the city should be a nice addition to the trip.

Was on the bus to Rossaveal once. Packed bus. Luggage a mile high blocking any views. Sweltering. It was a pain in the asre.

sgthighway · 21-04-2021 7:23am

90 Minutes on a boat is a long time.

Stihl waters · 21-04-2021 7:36am

sgthighway wrote: »

90 Minutes on a boat is a long time.

If it means not going to Doolin or rossaveal by road I'd imagine a lot of tourists caught for time would go from galway

Storm 10 · 21-04-2021 9:35am

sgthighway wrote: »

90 Minutes on a boat is a long time.

New boat can do Aran in less than an hour its a high speed ferry

21-04-2021 9:42am

It's only 1 of the 5 ferries, they'll need to schedule for 90 mins, unless they have a fast service for some of the departure times.

bennyineire · 21-04-2021 9:53am

sgthighway wrote: »

90 Minutes on a boat is a long time.

It really isn't TBH, especially if you are staying in the City Centre and also if you are an islander who wants to do some city shopping

21-04-2021 11:06am

Considering the current advice for getting the shorter crossing, 90mins looks like a time saving...

"If you are taking the shuttle bus you should present for boarding at least 90 minutes prior to the ferry departure time. If you are driving to the port we recommend that you present for boarding 30 minutes prior to departure."

Really looking forward to this service in the summer. Early morning coffee in town, hop on the ferry, Inis Mór for the day, cruise back in the evening and walk up for a pint outside Neachtains.

21-04-2021 11:49am

Storm 10 wrote: »

New boat can do Aran in less than an hour its a high speed ferry

According to the press releases from Aran Island ferries, it will be a 90 min journey time

While it can go beyond this, it will have an operating speed of 20 knots making the fastest possible journey time, 75 mins. Taking into account slower speeds closer to land, and the likely diversion to take in the Cliffs of Moher, the 90 min journey time is accurate.

gordongekko · 21-04-2021 1:59pm

sgthighway wrote: »

90 Minutes on a boat is a long time.

Wait until you hear about cruise liners

Zzippy · 21-04-2021 2:22pm

If they plan the schedule to allow for a decent day trip and back in time for dinner the tourists will fill it no problem. Once the tourists can come back, of course. 90 minutes on a boat is no problem, it will be part of the experience, and far more enjoyable than the drive to Rossaveal.

Fitz* · 21-04-2021 3:24pm

I think this is a great addition, and am looking forward to it. The ability to wake up on a random morning and check the weather and decide to leave from the city within the hour would be pretty cool, and not have to worry about bus schedules or travelling out to Doolin or Rossaveal. The same for the return journey.

I have seen it advertised a lot lately, but with no scheduled dates yet. Anyone have an idea of when it will commence roughly?

GerardKeating · 21-04-2021 9:30pm

sgthighway wrote: »

90 Minutes on a boat is a long time.

Compared to the hour on the bus, waiting in Rosaveal and then the "Short" ferry trip?

inisboffin · 21-04-2021 10:36pm

Very often the bus rocks up as the ferry is leaving. Except for one day, I think it’s Friday, the time saving isn’t much, but as some have mentioned, it’s not being on a coach for half the time.
I do remember rough crossings from Galway, so seasickness time could be doubled too ðŸ˜‚ but for the most part tourists would rather a single/longer boat trip I’d imagine.

Psychlops · 21-04-2021 10:44pm

You would be suprised to see how quick the weather/waves on the bay gets once you are on a boat & you pass the Lighthouse Causeway, off Salthill the waves can & do reach 2m+

21-04-2021 10:56pm

There is that part of it too. I do recall being a young lad on the dun aengus going over to Aran, man it was rough

The new boat is supposed to have been designed with comfort and the conditions in mind so we'll have to wait and see I guess

Personally I can't wait to go for a spin over to aran on it.

Rough outline of the plan is: get the bus in, hop on the boat, pick up a bike in Aran, cycle the island, grab a bite to eat, another spin, boat back, then, depending on tiredness it'll be (a) a few drinks and a bite, late bus home or (b) bus home, pick up a pizza, fall asleep on the couch

Can't wait ha!

Storm 10 · 22-04-2021 12:26am

I remember as a young fella going out on the Dun Aengus for a trip around a US Battleship that was on a visit anchored off Salthill ,she was huge and as we passed her by she turned her guns towards us and lowered them down in a salute, she was the USS Glennon pity we get no visits anymore from the US Navy. The Dun Aengus ran these trips around her for the week of her visit there was a crew of 350 on her.

Squeeonline · 22-04-2021 6:55am

Storm 10 wrote: »

I remember as a young fella going out on the Dun Aengus for a trip around a US Battleship that was on a visit anchored off Salthill ,she was huge and as we passed her by she turned her guns towards us and lowered them down in a salute, she was the USS Glennon pity we get no visits anymore from the US Navy. The Dun Aengus ran these trips around her for the week of her visit there was a crew of 350 on her.

Presumably this ship https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Glennon_(DD-840) ?

Not a battleship, but a destroyer 1/20th the size of an Iowa class battleship.

Storm 10 · 22-04-2021 8:05am

Squeeonline wrote: »

Presumably this ship https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Glennon_(DD-840) ?

Not a battleship, but a destroyer 1/20th the size of an Iowa class battleship.

Actually not her must have the name wrong I remember she had 3 very long guns on her forward turrets because the were up in the air as we approached and then lowered as we passed. Anyway to a kid she was big wish I could find info on her visit.

Fitz* · 08-05-2021 9:50am

Certainly taking their time announcing the timetable and start dates.

ben.schlomo · 08-05-2021 1:29pm

Fitz* wrote: »

Certainly taking their time announcing the timetable and start dates.

Announcement due in the next cupla days.

Geuze · 11-05-2021 10:12am

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Announcement due in the next cupla days.

https://www.aranislandferries.com/day-tours/galway-city/cliffs-of-moher

https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/irelands-largest-domestic-passenger-ferryto-set-sailas-services-emerge-fromlockdown-40409438.html

Tour Dates
Daily departures: June 4th - Aug. 30th

Tour Times
Depart Galway City Docks: 9.30am

Arrive at Inis Mór (Kilronan Pier): 11am

Depart Inis Mór (Kilronan Pier): 3.30pm

Arrive at the Cliffs of Moher: 4.15pm

Depart Cliffs of Moher: 4.30pm

Arrive at Galway City Docks: 6pm

Tour Prices
Adult: €49.00

Student: €44.00

Senior: €44.00

Child: €25.00

Galway City to Inis Mór ferry

Comments