With the announcement by environmental and ecology experts for National Geographic that the Aran Islands are now ranked 11th in the world's top island destinations, Halloween brought many celebrations to the Aran Islands this year.

Island Ferries, celebrating their 25th year in business, joined the Óstán Árann, which was recently awarded F?ilte Ireland's three star classification, to celebrate this news as well as the National Geographic's accolade with an authentic Aran Islands Hallowe'en party.

Festivities kicked off from the moment invited guests, including Fáilte Ireland representatives, Irish and international tour operators and media, stepped onto the 6.30pm Island Ferries luxury ferry sailing on Halloween evening with islanders on board the ferry joining in celebrating their fantastic achievement of living on the 11th best island in the world.

These celebrations, and the Hallowe'en party, allowed both Island Ferries and the Óstán Árann (also known as the Aran Islands Hotel) to showcase why the Aran Islands are truly a world-leading island destination from a culture, heritage, language, people and scenic perspective. Strengthening the position of the Aran Islands is the support of the award winning Island Ferries, which for 25 years has safely and professionally transported visitors to all three of the Aran Islands while Óst?n ?rann is the only hotel on the Aran Islands to have achieved F?ilte Ireland's three star classification, bringing yet another quality dimension to the tourism industry of the island with its high quality accommodation, food and service.

PJ Flaherty, proprietor of Óstán Árann, spoke of his delight in hosting the celebrations, saying: "We are so proud to have achieved three star classification and were delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate with all who have supported us since we opened our doors in 2004. We developed the hotel to a three star classification and have always managed it to this standard. To receive such compliments and confirmation from Fáilte Ireland is a welcome accolade for the entire team, not to mention a great accolade for the tourism industry of the Aran Islands. Then hearing this weeks news from National Geographic is simply the icing on the cake for the tourism industry of the Aran Islands."

Sally O'Brien, Managing Director of Island Ferries was also delighted to celebrate in conjunction with Óstán Árann. "Our 25th anniversary has been wonderful with the achievement of our CIE Tours International Award, the world rankings of the Aran Islands by National Geographic and, of course, the hotels well deserved three star classification which adds to an already wonderful range of accommodation on the Aran Islands," she said.

Guest were treated to a fancy dress banquet at the Óstán Árann while local historian Padraicín Clancy shared much of the folklore, history and heritage of Óiche Shamhna and Hallowe'en with guests as part of a "spooky" tour of Inis Mor which extended past midnight.

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