We exploit dipolar coupling to control the magnetic states in assemblies of single-domain magnetic nanoislands, arranged in one, two and three adjacent hexagonal rings. On tailoring the shape anisotropy of specific islands, and thus their switching fields, we achieve particular target states with near perfect reliability, and are able to control the chirality of the vortex target states. The magnetic states are observed during magnetization reversal with x-ray photoemission electron microscopy and our results are generally in excellent agreement with a numerical model based on point dipoles and realistic values of disorder. We conclude with a quantitative discussion of how our results depend on disorder and the chosen bias in shape anisotropy.