Inis Oírr Water Restrictions Hit Fifth Month

Residents and visitors to Inis Oírr are being reminded that overnight water restrictions remain in place as the island enters its fifth consecutive month of conservation measures.

The nighttime shutdown — which runs from 11pm to 7am daily — was introduced by Uisce Éireann in mid-April in response to sustained dry spells and increased seasonal demand. The measures aim to protect the island’s reservoir levels and ensure there is enough water to meet daily needs during the busy summer period.

With no end yet in sight, Uisce Éireann has once again appealed to the public to conserve water, especially as the island experiences a seasonal influx of tourists.

Tony Kelly of Uisce Éireann thanked the island community for their continued cooperation and urged households and businesses to take further steps to reduce usage.

“We are asking customers to be mindful of how they use water. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or using a watering can instead of a hose may seem small, but these habits can make a big difference,” he said.

Kelly also asked caretakers of unoccupied properties to check for leaks and shut off unused water supplies to avoid unnecessary loss.

The water utility has provided online tools, including a conservation calculator at www.water.ie/calculator, to help customers assess their water use and identify easy ways to cut back.

Inis Oírr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands, relies on limited local storage capacity and has historically been vulnerable to summer water shortages during dry periods.

Uisce Éireann has committed to maintaining communication with customers throughout the restrictions. Those registered as vulnerable customers will continue to receive direct alerts in the event of supply outages longer than four hours.

Residents can also contact Uisce Éireann’s 24-hour helpline at 1800 278 278, reach out on social media via @IWCare on X, or sign up for free text alerts by registering their Eircode on the company’s website.

While reservoir levels are being closely monitored, Uisce Éireann has not yet confirmed a date for lifting the restrictions, which are expected to remain in place through the peak tourist season.