Rugged and blustery, Arranmore Island is a 9km by 5km microcosm of Ireland. Cast out into the Atlantic, it is a mere 25-minute ferry ride from Burtonport in West Donegal.

Known to the 800-or-so Irish-speaking residents as Árainn Mhór, it has been inhabited since prehistoric times and boasts some impressive archaeological remains. Arranmore's diverse scenery encompasses bogs, lakes, sandy beaches, sea caves and cliffs. A walking path encircles the island, taking about four hours to conquer.

Thanks to the local fishing industry, the pubs have been granted 24-hour licences and are lively affairs that frequently host traditional music sessions.

For avid bird watchers, the bird sanctuary of Green Island lies just off Arranmore's southwestern tip.