I was only able to visit the Islands for two days, on a trip with my American classmates whilst living and studying in Dublin in 2004. It is, hands-down, the most beautiful place I’ve visited. We stayed at Mainistir House on Inis Máan. The hikes and tours are all worthwhile, but for first-timers I would definitely recommend just taking the ferry out from Galway (West Coast of Ireland) and walking along the edges of Aran where the wool shops and little houses are. It’s quite literally a different world. And well worth visiting.