Big Island's Natural Environment and Your Big Experience
Aran Islands' The Big Island, Inis Mór is a nature lover's paradise. The last landmass on the western edge of Europe, this island is remote, underpopulated, and still mostly wild, lacking the usual kinds of high-density construction and crowds of people that can scare wildlife away.
From flocks of seabirds that reside on the grey cliffs year-round to more unusual breeds that use the land as a short stop on their greater migration route, birds are a constant draw to visitors.
Check out the diverse types of flora and fauna you might find on the island, to make the most of your time nature watching on Inis Mór!
Inis Mór is a Nature Lover's Paradise
Fauna
- On the Land - wild hares and stoats live on the island, though they can be elusive. You’ll also find plenty of farm animals such as sheep, cattle, goats, horses, ponies, donkeys, and even llamas!
Sheep especially play an important role in the island’s traditional way of life — their Aran wool forms the foundation of the famous Aran sweaters, a craft that supports the island’s world-renowned fashion economy.
- In the Sea, Otters, dolphins, porpoises, seals, basking sharks and mink whales are recorded around Inis Mór.
These are important for the local economy as commercial species like cod, mackerel, ling and several kinds of rockfish are all present with some available as a daily catch in local bars and restaurants.
- In the Sky, Bird species such as plubber, oyster catcher, dunlin, gulls, sanderling, and heron are along the coast.
Garden birds like skylark, swallow, chiffchaff, starling, robin, pipit, sparrow, and thrush are present in gardens and places where humans gather.
Guillemot, murre, kittiwake, terns, gannets, and more, check www.ebird.org for more recent sightings and records.
- Insects, Butterflies, Moths: Inis Mór’s wildflower meadows attract insects to feed, breed, and pollinate. Take a butterfly ID booklet to name each pretty coloured insect. Many moth species thrive on Inis Mór, partly due to the lack of artificial light interrupting their circadian rhythm.
Flora: Wild Mix of Wildflowers
Inis Mór is home to an unusual mix of wildflowers, over 700 species, some of which are rare and grow side by side in the cracks and deep crevices of the karst.
The close proximity of the Gulf Stream makes for a mild and pleasant climate and also encourages a unique mixture of all year round Alpine and Mediterranean flora. In spring and early summer, countless tiny stone-walled barren fields are awash with colour and the wonderful aroma of wild flowers. The usual native Irish flora of harebells, scabious, red clover, oxeye dasies and saxifrage are common, as well as a variety of Arctic ‘dryas octopetala’ and Alpine ‘gentiana verna’ and ‘minuartia verna’.
Beaches
Inis Mór has some fabulous, safe, clean beaches. One of the finest of the Aran Island’s beaches is the Blue Flag awarded Kilmurvey beach, just to the north-east of Dún Aonghasa. The unspoilt beach is located in a sheltered bay, and the clean blue water is perfect for a dip. The beach and village of Kilmurvey are famous for being the location of the world renowned Irish film/documentary Man of Aran, filmed in 1934 on Inis Mór and directed by Robert J. Flaherty.
Here’s our pick of the best beaches on Inis Mór, along with a handy packing list for your seashore adventure. Have fun!
Geology
You don’t have to be a geologist to enjoy Inis Mór, but as a place to visit, it certainly is full of interesting geographical features. The ancient landscape was formed during the Carboniferous period, between 359 and 299 million years ago, when coal deposits were formed throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
The Aran Islands are a continuation of the unique and world-famous ‘Burren’ region of County Clare and South Galway. The word Burren comes from the Irish Boireann, aptly meaning ‘rocky place’.
Two major rock types are present in the Burren and Aran Islands: light-colored limestone and darker siltstone, shale, and sandstone. The nearby Cliffs of Moher are part of this landscape too, formed by river deposits in what was once a large delta in the shallow tropical waters off Ireland.
As you can see, something is always happening in the natural world on Inis Mór. From the barking seal pups and squawking sea birds circling the cliffs, you’ll find the island a haven for nature lovers of all ages, whenever you visit!
Contact us on 091 568 903 or email info@aranislandferries.com if you need any information or assistance on your next visit to Inis Mór.