Inis Meáin Island Stays

Luxury self-catering accommodation on Inis Meáin, Aran Islands

Inis Meáin Island Stays is a tourism accommodation project located on Inis Meáin, the least visited and least developed of the three Aran Islands, in Ireland. Run by the de Blacam family, it offers two houses available for groups: Teach Boirne (The Karst House) and Teach na Curaigh (The Currach House).

Teach Boirne, the building that formerly housed Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites, can accommodate up to 8 guests. Teach na Curaigh, renovated to the same standard of design and comfort, hosts up to 4 guests. Both houses are offered on a self-catering basis and are equipped with high-spec kitchens.

A stay integrated into a 70-acre farm

The houses form part of a working 70-acre farm estate, with a landscape characteristic of the Burren. The farm is home to a small herd of mostly Angus cattle, native Irish bees, hens and vegetable crops, with a focus on biodiversity preservation. The property stretches 5 km from the north coast to the south coast, encompassing various terrains of the island.

Guests have off-road access to this unique environment. An in-depth ecological study of the farm serves as a guide to the landscape, renowned for its Burren biodiversity and dry-stone walls.

Exploring the island and natural surroundings

Inis Meáin measures 5 km by 3 km and the houses are located in the centre, within walking distance of everywhere. Each house includes an extensive exploration kit so that guests can enjoy walks, sea swims, cycles, yoga, foraging and picnics throughout the farm estate and the island landscape.

The island has a community of 180 inhabitants and few visitors, ensuring tranquillity and a travel experience in touch with nature.

Optional dining services

Dining options on the island are very limited, with venues that are not always open. Inis Meáin Island Stays offers a daily set Island Dinner, prepared from the repertoire of its former restaurant, homemade brown bread, nourishing lunch soup and a special wine collection, all available for delivery to the houses when ordered in advance. The houses are offered on a self-catering basis and their kitchens allow guests to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences.

Team and family background

The team behind Inis Meáin Island Stays is led by Ruairí and Marie-Thérèse de Blacam, who have developed original models of hospitality on the island since 2007. Ruairí was born and raised on Inis Meáin and is a chef by trade; Marie-Thérèse grew up in Cork and has lived on the island since 2006, with a background in business and design. They originally created Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites to live and work in their respective fields on the island.

In 2023, Ruairí's parents retired from running Inis Meáin Knitting Company, which they founded in 1976 and which is the island's main employer, dedicated to creating high-quality knitwear inspired by the island's landscape, history and culture. To take over the running of the knitting company, Ruairí and Marie-Thérèse transformed the restaurant and suites into Inis Meáin Island Stays from 2023.

The team includes Orla Ní Chonghaile (Chief Organiser), Enrique Gonzalez Villar (Happy Machine), Meadhbh Ní Dhomhnaill (Goodie Baker) and Pat Hanrahan (Fairy Godfather), among other collaborators.

Season and reservations

The 2026 season runs from 18 March to 11 October. Reservations are managed through the booking page of the website. Due to the high volume of enquiries for a limited number of stays per season, the company uses automated responses with general information; enquiries not covered by those responses or by the FAQs are answered within a few days.