The Aran Islands

(/ˈærən/ ARR-ən; Irish: Oileáin Árann, pronounced [əˈlʲaːnʲ ˈaːɾˠən̪ˠ]) or The Arans (na hÁrainneacha [n̪ˠə ˈhaːɾˠən̠ʲəxə]), are a group of three islands at the mouth of Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland, with a combined area of about 46 km2 (18 mi2). They form the historic barony of Aran in County Galway.

From west to east, the islands are Inishmore (Árainn / Inis Mór),[a] which is the largest; Inishmaan (Inis Meáin), the second-largest; and Inisheer (Inis Oírr), the smallest. Several smaller islets also lie in the group.

The population of 1,347 (as of 2022)[1] primarily speaks Irish, making the islands part of the Gaeltacht. Most residents are also fluent or proficient in English. The population has declined steadily since 1841, when it was approximately 3,500.