Inis Meáin
Designed to resemble a whale, the low stone structure of this restaurant and B&B is a beautiful sight against the stark horizon—though not as good as the sea views you get from inside. Hosts Ruairi and Marie-Thérèse have created something truly special on the least-visited of the Aran Islands, Inis Meáin, after which the place is named (Ruairi grew up here—get him talking about what life on the island was like during his childhood.) Indeed, for many who spend time here, a stay at this B&B is one of the main reasons to visit the island. The Financial Times declared the restaurant one of the best 12 in the world a few years ago, and dining here certainly is a memorable experience. Ruairi creates simple, fresh, delicious meals from produce as local as it comes—including the garden outside and the sea around you. It all depends on what’s best that day, but the five-course set menu (€70) might include a starter of fresh sea urchins, followed by John Dory in grenobloise sauce. Five enormous, modern guest suites make the most of the stunning views of Galway Bay and the edge of the Burren, with huge windows. The only drawback is the 2-night minimum stay, but that won’t feel like a problem once you get here, breathe in the air, and feel the peace wash over you. Note: Due to limited space and high demand, you should make reservations as far in advance as possible.
Designed to resemble a whale, the low stone structure of this restaurant and B&B is a beautiful sight against the stark horizon—though not as good as the sea views you get from inside. Hosts Ruairi and Marie-Thérèse have created something truly special on the least-visited of the Aran Islands, Inis Meáin, after which the place is named (Ruairi grew up here—get him talking about what life on the island was like during his childhood.) Indeed, for many who spend time here, a stay at this B&B is one of the main reasons to visit the island. The Financial Times declared the restaurant one of the best 12 in the world a few years ago, and dining here certainly is a memorable experience. Ruairi creates simple, fresh, delicious meals from produce as local as it comes—including the garden outside and the sea around you. It all depends on what’s best that day, but the five-course set menu (€70) might include a starter of fresh sea urchins, followed by John Dory in grenobloise sauce. Five enormous, modern guest suites make the most of the stunning views of Galway Bay and the edge of the Burren, with huge windows. The only drawback is the 2-night minimum stay, but that won’t feel like a problem once you get here, breathe in the air, and feel the peace wash over you. Note: Due to limited space and high demand, you should make reservations as far in advance as possible.
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