June 18, 2025
4 minute read
Tucked off the west coast of Ireland, the Aran Islands are one of those rare places that feel timeless. Wind-carved limestone, ancient stone walls, and the gentle rhythm of island life create a kind of magic you won’t find on a typical tourist path.
And if you visit as part of Collette’s small group Countryside of the Emerald Isle tour, you’ll meet Gabriel Faherty: a lifelong resident of Inishmore (the largest of the three Aran Islands) whose family has lived here for generations. Gabriel is Collette’s local expert on the Aran Island — and he’s also a former fisherman, award-winning cheesemaker, and all-around storyteller.
We caught up with Gabriel during one of our recent Virtual Events, where he shared what makes this island and his life on it so unforgettable.
🎥 Want to watch the full replay? Click here to view the virtual event.
Gabriel: It’s a small, close-knit place. There’s about 850 of us on Inishmore — 1,600 across all three islands. We all know each other. In fact, I’m the only Gabriel across all three islands. You could send a letter that just says “Gabriel, Goat Farmer, Aran Islands,” and it would find me.
Life here is quiet. There are three pubs, one hotel, no cinema, no chemist. For a night out or errands, we take the ferry or hop on a quick flight to Galway. But for raising kids? It’s perfect. My four children have the freedom to roam, just like I did.
Gabriel: The best part is — they get to stay overnight. Most tours just come for the day, but Collette travellers are here for about 30 hours. That means we start exploring before the first ferry even arrives, so you get the quiet magic of the island to yourself.
We visit places like the Seven Churches — a monastic site dating back to the 7th century — and Dun Aonghasa, an ancient fort perched on a cliff edge. We make time for sweater shopping, of course, and we visit my goat farm.
💡 Tour Designer Tip: Collette small group explorations are limited to 24 travellers, which means you get an intimate, immersive visit with time to ask questions and savour the moment.
Gabriel: They were originally made for fishermen — tightly knit with natural wool, which still had oils in it to help keep you warm and dry. Every family had its own stitch pattern, so if someone was lost at sea and later found…they could be identified by the sweater.
Today, you’ll still find hand-knits and machine knits here. And if you don’t see your size, they’ll even knit one for you and ship it home.
Gabriel: My wife bought me a cheesemaking class for my birthday. She said I was impossible to shop for. I took the class, fell in love with the process, and a few years later, bought 50 baby goats. Now we make cheese using local seaweed and Celtic sea salt. It’s soft and creamy — nothing like the crumbly kind you might get in the States.
We’ve even won national awards for it.
Gabriel: Absolutely. You’ll visit our farm, meet the goats, learn how we make the cheese, and, of course, taste it. We’re even opening a little farm shop this year to sell other local products, like blackberry balsamic vinegar and honey from nearby producers.
And I’m proud to say Collette awarded us a micro-grant through their Impact Initiative, which is helping us become fully solar-powered.
🌍 Ready to go? Learn more about the Countryside of the Emerald Isle tour right here.
Gabriel: I’d say don’t just come for a quick stop. Stay the night. Wake up to the Atlantic, walk the stone paths, and talk to the people. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time — but in the best possible way.
Want to learn more about life on the Aran Islands and what you can experience there on tour? Watch the full virtual event replay for more of the inside scoop from Gabriel himself.
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