Inis Mór – The Start of a New Adventure

There are certain trips that stand out over time, not just because of the locations, but because of the people you share them with. Over the past few years, myself, Diarmuid and Patrick have built a bit of a routine around that. Two trips a year, different locations, same approach… get out, explore, and see what unfolds.

We’ve covered a fair bit together already. From the peaks of the Dolomites, to the conditions on the Isle of Skye, working the coastline along the Causeway Coast, and multiple trips across Donegal and Dingle Peninsula. Each one has brought something different, and each one has reinforced the same thing, the best results usually come when you give yourself time and stay flexible.

This time, it was the turn of the Aran Islands, and more specifically, Inis Mór.

It’s a location that had been on the list for a long time. Sitting exposed on the edge of the Atlantic, known for its cliffs, stone walls, and unpredictable conditions, it’s the kind of place that suits the way we like to work. No guarantees, just potential.

And after just the first day, it was clear there was a lot here to work with.

Getting There

The journey started early, making the way across to Doolin where we’d catch the ferry out. We went with Doolin Ferry Company, a straightforward crossing, but one that immediately gives you a sense of where you’re heading. As the mainland drops away, you start to see the islands take shape ahead of you, low lying at first, then slowly revealing more detail as you get closer.

Arriving onto Inis Mór, the pace shifts straight away. It’s quieter, more exposed, and everything feels a bit more connected to the conditions around it.

We were staying at the Aran Islands Hotel, which worked well as a base for the trip. Having somewhere central to reset, review, and plan the next move makes a difference on trips like this. A big thanks as well to Niall, who sorted us out with a vehicle for the few days. On an island like this, that access makes a huge difference in terms of how much ground you can cover, especially when you’re trying to respond to changing conditions.

Day One – Exploring and Scouting

The first day is always the same in principle, get a feel for the place.

There’s no pressure to come away with anything straight away. It’s about understanding the layout, how the light moves across different parts of the island, where the access points are, and what might work later in the trip.

We spent most of the day moving around, stopping at different sections of coastline, checking angles, looking at how the land meets the ocean, and making mental notes of locations worth coming back to. In a place like Inis Mór, that initial time is important. A lot of the better spots aren’t obvious from the road, and some of them only really reveal themselves when you take the time to walk them properly.

At the same time, it’s the practical side as well. Getting supplies sorted from the local shop, making sure we’ve everything we need for the next few days, and settling into the rhythm of the place.

And of course, a welcome beer or two to mark the start of the trip.

First Shoot – A Strong Start

By the time evening came around, we had a rough plan. Head towards the western side of the island and see what the conditions would give us.

That part of Inis Mór faces directly into the Atlantic. It’s exposed, open, and when there’s energy in the ocean, you feel it straight away. Even on this first evening, there was enough movement in the water to make things interesting.

We worked the area on foot first, looking for compositions, trying to simplify the scene, and figuring out how best to use what was in front of us. Then getting the drone up gave a completely different perspective, allowing us to see how the cliffs, rock formations, and water all connected.

From above, it started to come together. Lines in the landscape, movement in the ocean, and just enough variation in the light to give the scene some depth.

It wasn’t about forcing anything. Just reacting to what was there, and taking the opportunities as they came.

A Solid Beginning

For a first evening, it was exactly what you’d want. A chance to get a few strong frames, understand the conditions a bit better, and build momentum going into the rest of the trip.

More importantly, it confirmed what we had hoped before even arriving, there’s a lot of potential on this island.

This is just the start. Over the next few days, we’ll be heading back out, revisiting locations, exploring new areas, and working whatever conditions come our way.

There’s a full series of videos coming from this trip, along with a lot more images, each one showing a different side of what Inis Mór has to offer.

This first day set the tone.

Now it’s about building on it.