Achill Island

Achill Island is Ireland’s largest off shore island , located off the coast of County Mayo. It is joined to the mainland via a bridge at Achill Sound. The island is dotted with small villages and magnificent sandy beaches. Its landscape is raw and wild and its breezy shoreline makes it a popular spot for watersports, with surf lessons available at Keel Beach and kayaking on the blueway at Dugort.

The island is home to the incredible blue flag beach , Keem Bay with white sands and emerald waters. It ranked number 11 on the 50 best beaches in the world list in 2019! A walk along this beach at sunset would be an unforgettable, magical experience.

Visit the  infamous “pirate queen” Grace O Malley’s castle on the south east of the island, built around 1429 or an a rainy day head to the Achill Experience, Aquarium and Visitor Centre, Mayo’s only aquarium, and a place to learn about Achill and its rich history.

The island is also a hill-walkers paradise as most of the countryside on Achill is in common ownership which means that it is freely open and accessible for hill-walking. Achill Isle Walks provide guided walking tours with passionate guides where you can listen to stories and the history of Ireland’s ancient past while exploring the stunning landscape of the island. 

Contact Gerard at www.achillislewalks.ie for more information of the guided walks available.

The Great Western Greenway is a 42 kilometre trail that runs from Westport to Achill passing through remote towns and spectacular scenery. Its no wonder it is known as  the most enchanting cycle tracks in Ireland.

The most popular thing to do on Achill Island is to visit the deserted village, made up of 70 abandoned homesteads that proves to be a haunting reminder of the most harrowing period in our history, the Great Famine.

After a day spent exploring this beautiful island, you can refuel and recharge in one of Achill’s many restaurants, cafés, tearooms and gastropubs serving the best of local produce from seafood to lamb and home baked goods and even Achill sea salt and seaweed! With plenty of traditional Irish pubs, some with thatched roofs, great pints, roaring fires, lively music and plenty of Irish craic, there is something for everyone.

Achill Island is truly a hidden gem with friendly people and a vision of the old Ireland.