Cliff Diving
A local's guide to Cliff Diving's Inis Mór
We chat to Aran Islander Peadar Gill about the best things to do, see and explore on Inis Mór ahead of Red Bull Cliff Diving
Inis Mor will provide the stunning backdrop for Red Bull Cliff Diving this weekend, but there's much more to the breathtakingly beautiful island to be discovered if you're making your way westward this summer.
We caught up with born-and-bred islander Peadar Gill – a musician and event co-ordinator in Dublin who spends his summers on Inis Mor – to get the lowdown on the the rest of the island, the best activities, places and hidden gems that only a local would know.
RENT A BIKE AT THE FERRY PORT & HEAD DOWN THE 'LOW ROAD'
"There are brilliant bus and walking tours which are hugely informative – but personally, what I'd do is rent a bicycle, because you've got the freedom to get off wherever you want and explore. Cycle up to the town, which is a few minutes from the ferry port, and stock up your bag with a few snacks. Then take the low road, as we call it – basically the scenic route – over as far as Dun Aengus. On that route, you'll pass a seal colony and other lovely sites; there's a goat's cheesemaking factory, where a guy from the island started a goat farm and makes his own cheese which is exported all over the world. The seal colony's a very popular tourist destination – the seals just come in and chill on the beach for the day, and there's a little viewing point there. But a bike is definitely the best way to see the island."
Ah go on! Craggy Island tourist off on Inis Mór
© Dean Treml/Red Bull Cliff Diving
STOP OFF AT DUN AENGUS
"Dun Aengus is a good hour's cycle from the ferry port, so if you are planning a bicycle journey, make sure you have the time planned out to get back in time. There's a visitor's centre at the bottom of the cliff, and there's a few restaurants and an art gallery that's just opened, and craft shops run by islanders where you can buy local crafts and Aran sweaters so it's definitely worth taking time to look around. You can meet the guides at the visitor's centre, and they'll give you all the information you need – or they can organise a tour and bring you up. It's probably about a twenty or thirty minute walk up; it's not a very difficult hike, but you'd want comfortable shoes. It's quite rocky, but there is a path cut out – you're not climbing up a cliff edge. Dun Aengus is just amazing – it needs to be seen to be believed. An estimated 200,000 people visit the island every year, and about 132,000 of them go to Dun Aengus – so that gives you an idea of how popular it is. It's quite busy, but beautiful and definitely worth seeing."
Dun Aengus
© Press
MAKE A PIT STOP AT THE ISLAND'S BEST BEACH
"There are some absolutely amazing beaches here, and they're generally overlooked because generally when tourists come, they're only day-trippers and they'll do their cycle, go to Dun Aengus and leave on the evening ferry – they don't have time to soak in the whole island. But one of the strongest and most impressive thing we have is our beaches. Kilmurvey, for example, is a blue flag beach and it's amazing for a swim. It can be a bit cold, but it's lovely. It's right at the foot of your climb up to Dun Aengus, then – so if you'd like to cool down after your cycle before you make the trek up, it's perfect."
HEAD THE OTHER DIRECTION FOR INIS MÓR'S BEST-KEPT SECRET
"On the other side of the island – the Killeany side, which is closer to the ferry port, maybe half an hour's cycle – there's The Black Fort, which is personally my favourite place on the island. It's also a ring fort on a cliff edge, made of limestone; it's called the Black Fort because that's the colour it goes when it's wet. There's not much known about it because I don't think there's been any archaeological digs done to the extent that there has been in Dun Aengus – but it's just so tranquil, really, really quiet in complete contrast to the busyness. So if you're looking to escape a little bit, it's worth taking the time to go to the Black Fort and chill out up there. With the waves crashing up against the cliffs, it's so peaceful."
Inis Mor - Serpent's Lair
© Red Bull Content Pool
CHECK OUT THE SITE OF CLIFF DIVING, THE SERPENT'S LAIR
"We would call it Poll na bPéist, which directly translated means 'The Wormhole'. There are lots of myths and stories; we would have grown up being told that it was carved out by a big worm who lived under the cliff. It's completely natural even though it looks carved out, but the stuff that the sea has created on this island is amazing. We would never have swam there as kids; it was always a no-no because it was dangerous and you would have thought anyone swimming there was nuts. Then about ten years ago, some tourist posted a video on YouTube of himself jumping off into Poll na bPéist - no platform, just a towel laid down over the spiky rocks – and it went viral, so people would come to swim in it. Us islanders even have a go now, although I'd never jump from the top – I'm not that brave."
GO SURFING (IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCED ENOUGH)
"We do have surfers coming here, but it's kind of like a surfer's best-kept secret. None of the beaches really have big enough waves coming in for surfers, so you'd have to be experienced enough to go off the rocks here. There are a few areas, when the wind is right, near enough the main ferry port and it's quite a popular spot. It's not a big surfing destination and not for beginners - but if you're an experienced surfer, it's worth keeping an eye on Magic Seaweed for tides and wind speeds and everything."
Want more adventure? Here's 5 of the best activities to do in the west of Ireland...
There's a good reason why Lahinch attracts surfers from all over the world; not only are the waves rolling in from the Atlantic amongst the best in Ireland, but it's a buzzing, friendly little town, too. You'll find no shortage of surf schools offering lessons and rental equipment along the promenade.
Nestled in the heart of Connemara not far from the village of Leenane, Killary Adventure Centre does exactly what it says on the tin. Offering everything from kayaking on the beautiful Killary Fjord, to high ropes, gorge walking, rockclimbing, abseiling, waterskiing/surfing, orienteering and more, it's one of the best adventure sports hubs in the country.
The Burren is one of the most starkly beautiful areas of natural beauty in Ireland, so it would be remiss not to fully explore what it has to offer. Rock climbing and hillwalking are the obvious activities, but our pick is caving. There are over 200 caves in The Burren, including the longest cave in Ireland - Poulnagollum at 15 km long – so there's something to suit all levels of fitness/bravery.
A little further down the coast from Doolin – where the ferry to Inis Mor leaves from – is the perfect spot to try your hand at sea kayaking. Needless to say, sea kayaking is a different beast to kayaking on a lake or a river – but the beautiful Loop Head provides an awesome backdrop from your vantage point on the water.
Climbing up rocks, down rocks, jumping into the sea, adventure swimming in the wild Atlantic? If all of those things combined sound like your kind of thing, you'd do worse than to check out a coasteering tour near the ruggedly beautiful coastline of Connemara. Real Adventures run a tour near Clifden.