North West Ireland Tourism
Visitor Guide to Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan & Monaghan
Visitor Guide to Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan & Monaghan
Achill Island
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Achill Island
This is Achill Island, in the wonderful West of Ireland, one of the wildest and most charming locations on the western seaboard of Europe. Lashed by the ocean, carved by the wind, and swept by rains, Achill is one of Ireland’s most spectacular and beautiful islands. Its rugged landscape is rich in dramatic cliffs, soaring mountains, remote lakes, and secluded beaches. Indeed, Achill has no less than five stunning Blue Flag Beaches.
Achill’s unique landscape is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities, from surfing windsurfing and sailing, to hillwalking fishing and golf. And then of course there are the more daring activities like cliff climbing, paragliding, abseiling, bog-snorkelling, scuba diving, and kitesurfing. But we are happy just to do a little whale watching from the summit of Croaghaun, followed by homemade soup and thick brown bread in Gieltys Clew Bay Cafe.
Beautiful Achill Island has an abundance of dramatic seascapes which have provided inspiration for Irish artists and writers for many years. Explore the breath-taking “Atlantic Drive” along the west coast, and continue to Keel village to view the magnificent Minaun Cliffs. Climb Saddle Head at Keem Bay and view the sea cliffs at Craughaun (668m). And then, of course, there are Achill Island’s many archaeological and historical sites, including the famous Deserted Village at Slievemore and lovely Kildamhnait Castle, long associated with the legendary pirate queen, Grace O’Malley.
Achill has an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage, and particularly so in the areas of painting, writing, and, traditional music. Irish is spoken in a relaxed natural environment, and schoolchildren from all over the country make their way to Achill to “Labhair an Gaeilge” over the summer months. Festivals in Achill include the St Patrick’s weekend Walks Festival, the traditional Street Festival, the Achill Seafood Festival, the Scoil Acla Festival of Irish. And then there’s the “Cruinniu Badoiri Acla”, Achill’s delightful traditional yawl sailing festival.
Book Achill Island Accommodation
Achill’s unique landscape is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities, from surfing windsurfing and sailing, to hillwalking fishing and golf. And then of course there are the more daring activities like cliff climbing, paragliding, abseiling, bog-snorkelling, scuba diving, and kitesurfing. But we are happy just to do a little whale watching from the summit of Croaghaun, followed by homemade soup and thick brown bread in Gieltys Clew Bay Cafe.
Beautiful Achill Island has an abundance of dramatic seascapes which have provided inspiration for Irish artists and writers for many years. Explore the breath-taking “Atlantic Drive” along the west coast, and continue to Keel village to view the magnificent Minaun Cliffs. Climb Saddle Head at Keem Bay and view the sea cliffs at Craughaun (668m). And then, of course, there are Achill Island’s many archaeological and historical sites, including the famous Deserted Village at Slievemore and lovely Kildamhnait Castle, long associated with the legendary pirate queen, Grace O’Malley.
Achill has an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage, and particularly so in the areas of painting, writing, and, traditional music. Irish is spoken in a relaxed natural environment, and schoolchildren from all over the country make their way to Achill to “Labhair an Gaeilge” over the summer months. Festivals in Achill include the St Patrick’s weekend Walks Festival, the traditional Street Festival, the Achill Seafood Festival, the Scoil Acla Festival of Irish. And then there’s the “Cruinniu Badoiri Acla”, Achill’s delightful traditional yawl sailing festival.
How to get to Achill
By bus, or car. Bus Eireann Routes 440 and 441 provide regular services to Achill from Ballina and Westport/ Knock Airport respectively. Alternatively follow the N59, from Ballina and Westport to Mulranny, and then the R319 onto Achill Island.Explore more
Achill Island is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Belmullet and Portacloy if you are travelling north, and don't miss Mulranny, and Newport, if you are travelling south.Places to Stay
Achill Island has a wide selection of accommodation options, from hotels, to guesthouses, holiday cottages, and B&B's.Book Achill Island Accommodation
Things to do in Achill Island.
- Swim on the stunning beach at Keem Bay, a beautiful, secluded valley located at the very western tip of Achill Island, and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful swimming spots in Europe.
- Make a pilgrimage to the Deserted Village at Slievemore, a haunting reminder of times past. Comprising some 80 stone cottages located at the foot of the majestic Slievemore mountain, the Deserted Village offers a fascinating insight into life on Achill in former centuries.
- Swim on the extraordinarily remote beach at Annagh, a most elusive beauty spot featuring a fine beach, and the lowest corrie lake in Ireland. Annagh is so hard to reach that it is accessible only to hillwalkers or sailors.
- The Achill Atlantic Drive comprises over 40km of breath-taking coastal scenery that is ideal for touring in a car, and even better by bicycle!
- Visit Granuaile’s Tower at Kildavnet on the south-east corner of Achill Island. The tower at Kildavnet is thought to have been constructed by the Clan O’Malley in about 1429, but is associated locally with a descendant of the original builders, Grace O’Malley or Granuaile. This legendary pirate queen is thought to have been born around 1530 and died in about 1603. The Tower at Kildavnet is one of a series of such strongholds that Granuaile established along the western seaboard (she is said to be buried in a similar tower on Clare Island) as she dominated the waters during the 16th century.
- You will find traditional music every night of the week on Achill. Ask around and find out what’s happening and where, and enjoy wonderful traditional music in the most convivial and authentic of surroundings. You may even get to speak a little Irish too!
