Made in Arranmore

At Made in Arranmore (Cumann na mBád), island life is the only life for us.

Árainn Mhór, or Arranmore in English, is a pristine island off the coast of County Donegal in the wild northwest of Ireland. It may be the largest inhabited island in Donegal, but, with just shy of five hundred inhabitants, it’s certainly not crowded. Just the way we like it!

Although the community here is tight-knit, we are very welcoming to visitors. Since 2018, Made in Arranmore (Cumann na mBád) has been running activities for tourists and travellers that are designed to show off our home in the best way possible. We know we’re doing a good job because some of those visitors have become islanders themselves!

Kayaking is one of our most popular activities. Our tours will take you along the Atlantic coast of Arranmore, revealing rock formations, hidden beaches and abundant wildlife. We also have a fleet of stand-up paddleboards, SUPs, for exploring the shoreline. But you can’t see the whole island from the water. Some of the best viewpoints are on the cliff tops and the high points of the island, and the best way of reaching these is by hiring our bikes. Ask about our electric bikes if you prefer going downhill to climbing up! Other active pursuits that we engage in include sailing, particularly in the sheltered bays of the east coast.

We’re not just about outdoor adventures. As the name suggests, Made in Arranmore (Cumann na mBád) is about local art and handicrafts too. We create sculptures, baskets and knitwear alongside other products. We even have a carpentry shed, where we make wooden objects for the home and garden and restore antique items.

Did we mention the gym? Or the guidebook to the island’s birds? You’ll have to visit us to find out more!

Flung out in the Atlantic Ocean is the beautiful island of Arranmore…

We run outdoor activities here that allow visitors to experience the island and understand why we call this remote place home. We offer kayaking, paddle boarding, bike rental and more - and all our activities are Made in Arranmore (Cumann na mBád).

Kayaking is one of our favourite activities. It’s easy to pick up the basic skills and incredibly rewarding when you gain the skills and confidence to take you further from the harbour. On Arranmore, that means exploring the stunning coastline. We have cliffs, sea arches and hidden bays that you can discover from the water and panoramic views that stretch from the mainland to the open ocean.

As if that wasn’t enough, you might even be lucky enough to spot some local wildlife. We have populations of seabirds that nest around the island, seals that bask on the rocks and dolphins that come bounding through the water to find out what’s happening. Our guided tours are specially designed to search out some of these animals.

Our tours are led by guides who are keen to share their kayaking ability with you and their love for the island. They’ll guide you from the harbour around headlands, under cliffs and into caves - if you’re brave enough!

We have both single and double kayaks. The doubles are perfect for parents and children, letting the little ones see the coast of Arranmore up close. Of course, we have all the safety equipment, including life jackets and helmets.

Are you ready to embark?

Discover Ireland in miniature on the island of Arranmore.

The largest inhabited island in County Donegal, Arranmore has all the natural beauty of the Emerald Isle but on a much more manageable scale. At Made in Arranmore (Cumann na mBád), we’re on a mission to help visitors to the island discover its secrets in the best way possible.

We run watersports such as kayaking and sailing for those who love the ocean. These are wonderful for exploring the coast of Arranmore but, with an area of 22 square kilometres, there’s plenty to see inland too. That’s where Made in Arranmore Bike Rental comes in. We have a fleet of high-quality, well-maintained bicycles available for hire that can take you on a sightseeing tour of the whole island.

Our bikes are perfect for road cycling, which is convenient because the island boasts a good network of paved roads. There are two loops, one in the south and one in the north, which riders can combine into a figure-of-eight loop and a road that reaches the westernmost point of Arranmore, where the majestic Croaghaun West Cliffs tumble into the Atlantic ocean.

You can get your hands on the handlebars of our bikes, helmets and other kit for half a day or a full day. You’ll be surprised how much you can see in just 4 hours! Why not pack a picnic and enjoy it on the clifftops? Electric bikes are an option too, perfect for those who are more interested in seeing the sights than working up a sweat.

Cycling isn’t the only thing we do on Arranmore. We also have a gym which has modern exercise bikes among other equipment. Don’t forget to stop by the shop when you  finish the bike ride to peruse our selection of local artwork and handicrafts.

Let us know when you’re crossing from the mainland, we can’t wait to see you!

Paddleboarding comes from Hawaii but the best experiences, in our opinion, are in Arranmore.

At Made in Arranmore (Cumann na mBád) Paddleboarding, we enjoy our own paradise island. Afloat in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of County Donegal, Arranmore is one of the most beautiful destinations in Ireland.

We’re passionate about sharing that beauty with visitors from the mainland. We have kayaking tours, bike hire and sailing lessons, but one of the best ways to explore our island home is by stand-up paddleboard or SUP. It’s a sport that’s easy to learn but endlessly rewarding, whether you’re looking for an exciting white water ride, a playful paddle, or a voyage of coastal discovery.

When it comes to the coast, we’ve got you covered. Arranmore has a land area of 22 square kilometres, but the coastline, with its bays and headlands, caves and coves, stretches almost endlessly around the island. A paddleboard lets you explore the island from the water in as much detail as you want. You can get up close and personal with the cliffs, enjoy 360º degree views from a standing position and even share the waters with adorable animals.

There’s a healthy population of seals on Arranmore. Full-grown adults and tiny pups can be seen relaxing on the rocks at the water’s edge and diving in. Seabirds such as fulmars and shags make their nests in the cliffs and soar out to sea in search of food. There are dolphins too. Their curious creatures who like to play in the wakes of boats, or follow water users, including paddleboarders.

Watersport guides accompany all groups, to instruct or supervise depending on your level. We have two board sizes so children and adults can enjoy the experience together. Our 1.5-hour sessions are indreasingly popular so we advise booking in advance!

Come and SUP with us!