Ireland has long been romanticised by adventurous travellers for its rich history, awe-inspiring landscapes and lush green hills. The image of a lone walker standing tall upon a jutting clifftop, overlooking the vast stretch of the Atlantic, cooled by its whistling winds and illuminated by rays of sun cutting between the clouds, is one which will evoke excitement in all nature lovers and avid walkers dreaming of a nature escape in Ireland. What could be better, then, than spending a long weekend on one of the most stunning and preserved Aran Islands in Ireland in the luxury Ines Meáin Restaurant and Suites overlooking the ocean?

The Aran Islands in Ireland guard the mouth of the Galway Bay and have long provided an elemental experience for adventurous travellers seeking adventurous holidays in Ireland off the beaten track. Described as a raw limestone slab in the middle of the Atlantic, Inis Meáin, or ‘middle island’, is one of the few places where nature remains almost completely untouched, being the least developed of the three ancient Aran Islands in Ireland. Formed as sediments in a tropical sea approximately 350 million years ago, Inis Meáin boasts some of the world’s most beautiful butterfly species, including the pearl-bordered fritillary, marsh fritillary and the angelically pale white wood butterfly, which can all be seen fluttering in a vivid display of contrasting colours across the grey slabs of stone. The combination of beauty and space allows visitors to escape the clamour of everyday life, and experience total peace and awe at the tranquillity of their surrounding landscape.

Whilst staying in your luxury Aran Islands accommodation, you enjoy a vast array of exciting activities, including socialising with humorous locals in traditional cosy Irish pubs, fishing off the flora covered limestone, and even cycling from one end of the 3 by 5km island to the other, making Inis Meáin enjoyable for any type of traveller. For history enthusiasts, the small island has eight magnificent archaeological sites designated as national monuments, meaning one can soak up an impressive amount of history on foot. Dun Conor, or ‘Conor’s Fort’, is located at the Island’s highest point, providing breath-taking views from a spot which, millennia ago, the lookouts would have watched carefully for invaders wishing to claim their paradisiacal island.

The hotel itself is situated right by the sea, and each luxury suite boasts a 10-15m long window for unobstructed views of the Atlantic’s water. Polished wooden floors and luxuriously soft white bedding create a modern look that balances comfort with class. Each spacious room also has its own log fire with plenty of firewood stacked alongside a vast array of books seated on shelves. Additionally, every suite welcomes guests with an Inis Meáin exploration kit, consisting of stylish island customised Cube bicycles, Steiner nature binoculars, a baited fishing rod and ash walking sticks, which are essential for all adventure holidays in Ireland.

After a day of exploring, guests can look forward to dining in the hotel’s impressive restaurant overlooking the sea. Experienced head chef Ruairí de Blacam is a native of the Aran Islands in Ireland. His lifelong dream was to open a restaurant where he could serve Irish cuisine, and with a population of just 160 people on Inis Meáin, he recognized the need for luxury Aran islands accommodation to house guests, and so the Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites were born.

The intimate setting seats just sixteen diners, creating a homely feel perfect for conversation and relaxation. Experienced sommelier Saileog Lally makes sure to select the finest wines to perfectly accompany each carefully crafted dish. Among the best treats on the menu has to be the fresh oysters served on shaved ice, which melt in the mouth. Tender lobster and crab also bring a rich delight of flavours to the taste buds and are caught the same day by local fisherman from currachs, the traditional island fishing boats. All of the vegetables, fruits and herbs used in the restaurant’s Irish cuisine are grown using natural seaweed as fertiliser, just as the island’s inhabitants would have resourcefully done so centuries ago. For dessert, one would have to recommend the stewed apricots in a deliciously sweet sauce, topped with shaved almonds and ice cream, which causes the taste buds to tingle at the contrast in temperature.

With an increasing emphasis on the importance of nature and calm in our hectic modern-day lives, now is the perfect time to plan a getaway to an untouched Irish island. Once travel resumes, you can look forward to smelling the fresh ocean breeze as your ferry glides across the water to a world undisturbed by the clamour of the outside world, to Inis Meáin on the Aran Islands in Ireland, where life remains as peaceful as it would have been decades ago.