Major city · Ireland
ArranmoreÁrainn Mhór
Go for 1–2 nights if you want a quiet Gaeltacht island: 20-min ferry from Burtonport, 14 km (8.7 mi) walking loop, four pubs, no ATM.Go for 1–2 nights if you want a quiet Gaeltacht island: 20-min ferry from Burtonport, 8.7 mi (14 km) walking loop, four pubs, no ATM.
Arranmore is a 5 km-wide Gaeltacht island off west Donegal, reached by a 20-minute ro-ro ferry from Burtonport. There is one main settlement at Leabgarrow, a 14 km way-marked walking trail, sea cliffs and a lighthouse, and very little else. One night is enough for most travellers; two if you walk the whole loop and want a slow pub evening. Bring cash and supplies, because there is no bank or ATM on the island or at the pier.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, short days)
- Airports
- CFN · DUB
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Arranmore112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Arranmore, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyArranmore is a small, low-crime island; the real risks are weather, cliff edges and the ferry timetable.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard · 999 Alternative emergency number
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCFN Donegal Airport (Carrickfinn) (About 1 h 30 min by road to Burtonport; check current schedules).
- Getting aroundThe island is small: the farthest points are about 5 km (3.1 mi) from Leabgarrow pier, so an hour's walk reaches most of it.The island is small: the farthest points are about 3.1 mi (5 km) from Leabgarrow pier, so an hour's walk reaches most of it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café€3–4 (≈ US$4–5)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€14–20 (≈ US$17–25)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6 (≈ US$6–7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Budget bedHostel or shared room, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CFN Donegal Airport (Carrickfinn) (About 1 h 30 min by road to Burtonport; check current schedules) · DUB Dublin Airport (About 4 h by road to Burtonport; bus and rail connections via Letterkenny)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest May (14). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Arranmore: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
20 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
15 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
16 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
17 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
17 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
19 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
20 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
20 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The island is small: the farthest points are about 5 km from Leabgarrow pier, so an hour's walk reaches most of it. There is no taxi or minibus service. Bike hire is available near the pier (check current opening). Bringing a car mainly helps with supplies and weather; parking at Burtonport harbour is limited but free.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Burtonport and Dungloe
goDoor to door: About 1 h to Dungloe
Ferry back to Burtonport, then Local Link bus 271 or drive to Dungloe
Dungloe has the nearest banks and ATMs; Burtonport has a pub and a couple of places to eat.
Tory Island
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min from Arranmore
Ferry from Magheraroarty, County Donegal
A separate island trip; plan it as its own night, not a same-day add-on.
Door to door: About 2 h
Local Link bus 271 from Burtonport via Dungloe, or drive
Castle, gardens and walking; a full day from the island.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Leabgarrow (around the ferry pier)
The main settlement: guesthouses, pubs, the island store and the community centre are all within a few minutes' walk.
Ilion / south of the pier
Glamping pods and quieter lanes; about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the pier.Glamping pods and quieter lanes; about 0.6 mi (1 km) from the pier.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–140 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Ferry, foot passenger return2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| Bike hire, one day2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €43 |
| Trip total≈ €237 per person per day, bed included | €473≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euro; ferry and travel to Burtonport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | €3–4 (≈ US$4–5) |
| Pub main course | €14–20 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6 (≈ US$6–7) |
| Ferry, foot passenger return | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No bank or ATM on Arranmore or at Burtonport: bring enough cash for the whole stay.
- Mobile coverage is sparse; expect 4G only around Leabgarrow, and nothing reliable elsewhere.
- The Lighthouse Steps path is steep and exposed: not for children or anyone unsure on their feet.
- Book the ferry in summer; off-peak you can usually pay at the pier kiosk.
- The two ferry operators have similar names and tickets are not transferable between them.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard
- 112
- Alternative emergency number
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ArranmoreÁrainn Mhór
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard112
- Alternative emergency number999
Embassy
No embassy on the island; the nearest consulates and embassies are in Dublin (check your country's listing).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Burtonport → Leabgarrow: about 20 min; foot passenger return about €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) (check)
- Local Link bus 271, Letterkenny → Burtonport: about 1 h 40 min, several times a day (check)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Slán — Goodbye (slawn)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
Bring cash: no ATM on the island or at Burtonport.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arranmore. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (wind, rain, short days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry timetable and last-sailing fixtures for both operators, with a Burtonport fallback plan.
- Walking cluster pages: Leabgarrow, the lighthouse and cliffs, the west coast, and the southern beaches.
- Eat and drink pages with verified seasonal hours for the island pubs and cafés.
- Storm and cancellation fixtures so the ferry decision can go green or red.