Best of Achill Island, Mayo

Achill Island is accessed via a bridge at Achill Sound (no charge). The Island is 26km long and easily driven in a day.

After reading this you will be able to Plan 

• See the best sites on Achill Island
• 2 Days on Achill Island
• Select from a range of activities to see and do on Achill Island, food, and experiences on the Island. 
• Choose the best driving routes. 
• Get to the best selfie Spoits on the island

Achill  Island is about 1 hours drive from Belmullet and 40 minute’s drive from Westport.

The Great Western Greenway stretches from Westport to Achill Sound and can be walked or cycled.

Drive from Achill Sound to the western end of the island along the spinal main road  R319 to Keem Beach. There are some smaller roads off this main route and we suggest taking the scenic Atlantic Way route at Achill Sound to enjoy the island’s best views. On the return journey from Keem take the left at Keel village for Dugort and Slievemore to the north. Continue from there to rejoin the R319. 

 

Artist of Achill –

Achill island is known for the artists who come to live and work here. The well-known German artist Heinrich Boll’s cottage had a cottage near Dugort and it is now an artist retreat. There are many other artists on Achill Island and there are quite a few galleries to visit to see the individual or a group Gallery in Keel

 

 

 

 

Beaches of Achill Island 

Achill Islands’ best  Sandy beaches are on the north and south side of the island and 5 of them have Blue Flag status. If the wind blows from the north head to the south side beaches, but the south side beaches are always accessible. The beaches are detailed in a separate blog, but they are

Doonega Beach – on the Northside of the Island on a small inlet.

Golden Strand at Dugort –  on the northern side of the Island, can be a bit exposed. Sand dunes.

Keel Beach–  Southside of the Island beside the village of  Keel is the longest beach on Achill Island, Golf Course, and Campsite. 

Keem Beach – at the western end of the island, a stunning beach

Bike Hire on Achill – 

Bike Hire from Westport or Achill will allow you to explore the length of the island by bike 

 

 

Deserted Village and Achill Mission

Take the road from Keel to   Dugort and Slievemor. Take the left turn for the New Cemetary on a hill at Sievemor.  See the deserted village with its crumbling stone houses. Guided tour at 11 am – needs to be pre-booked. The Achill Mission was at the same base in the 19th Century – a fascinating story from your local guide. 

 

 

 

Drive the Atlantic Way

Arriving on Achill Island most people are focused on getting to the western side, missing out on an amazing drive. After Achill Sound village take the left for  Bleanaskill (Bléanascail) and  Clochmore (Cloch Mór). This stunning Cliff Drive takes about 1 hour without a stop, but there are so many great views and photo stops it will take 2 hours plus to drive.  Pass Kildavnet Castle, once a fortress of Granuaile. Right beside it is the pier where the Clare Island ferry operates in season. This is the area the award-winning film the Banshee of Inisherin was filmed in 2021, with the pub built on the edge of the cliffs for filming.

Achill Beg, a tiny island with a small beach, is just south of the castle. The sheep are plentiful and the scenery is among the most beautiful of the Wild Atlantic Way. The village of Dooega has a small beach, with some stones, but there are many more exciting swimming beaches on the island.

 

Drive the Length of Achill Island. 

Drive or cycle the full length of Achill Island until the road goes no further west, on the R319 which is the spine of the island.  Keem beach is 17 km west of the bridge at Achill Sound and is described by Lonely Planet as one of Europe’s best beaches. ‘This half-moon bay of golden sand at the foot of steep cliffs and grassy slopes. Basking sharks are sometimes sighted offshore. Keem beach is a small jewel of a beach 300m long down the winding lane, with car parks and notice boards on each bend. You can turn at the car park by the beach, and you may have to park at one of the upper car parks. With the highest cliffs in Europe to the western end of the island, this sheltered east-facing beach is a gem. The drive to this beach at sunset is magical as the sun sets dramatically to the west. There are lots of sheep on the island of Achill and they walk where they wish – more so to the western end of the island. 

Drive to the top of the hill at Bleanaskill, when on a clear day you can see all of the islands of Clew Bay spread 

Walk to the Highest Cliffs in the EU – Park the car at Keem beach’s upper car park and follow the path to the highest cliffs in  Europe. This is an arduous  Walk (Level 4 Fitness), needing suitable walking boots and clothing, and takes about 45 minutes- 1 hour to reach the cliffs. Another way to view the cliffs is by boat from the northern side of Achill island which can be pre-booked. 

Walking Routes on Achill –  There are many walking routes on Achill Island

Watersports – Surfing is excellent on Achill island at Keel beach and equipment can be hired or a guided lesson.   Kayak trips close to Keel can be pre-booked on the sea or lake. 

 

 

 

 

 

Food  and Drink of Achill

Lamb  –  Sheep are plentiful on Achill, living outdoors and sometimes wandering onto the road in front of you. They take little notice of cars, and are raised on mother’s milk and then the rough pastures. The high quality meat has a protected register for the name Achill Mountain Lamb and is served in some of Ireland’s best restaurants. The meat is sweet and can be purchased at Calvey’s Butchers in Keel. 

Food Shacks on Achill – Achill has many food shacks which sprang up in 2021. On the main road, R319 before Bunacurry is the well-known gourmet burger at Blasta  Food shack beside a pub and large Petrol station.  At Keel beach, there are a number of Food Shacks serving pancakes, burgers, and ice cream. There is an excellent chip shop in the village of Keel as well. 

 

Pubs of Achill 

There are many pubs on Achill Island, some with great views. The smallest Thatch pub here is one of the many pubs that have music playing in one of the pubs each night. Quite a few pubs sell food as well as drinks.

Oysters – Oysters are cultivated in the shallow waters on the northeast side of Achill and are served in local restaurants. Mussels can be seen growing on rope lines in many of the island’s inlets.

Salt- Achill has its own Sea Salt production plant which can be visited for a self-guided tour, signposted from the main road. It also has a coffee shack. 

Golf 

Achill Island has a 9-hole golf course at Keel where the sheep are the lawnmowers! This is one of the most unusual links courses in the country. 

 

Turf and Bogs of Achill

 

Selfie Spots on Achill Island 

There are many stunning sites on Achill Island, but these are some of the best. 

1 Atlantic Drive – Photo beside Grainne Uaile Castle, with Achill Beog in the

background and at the discovery point – it’s stunning. Suggest taking this route West from

just after Achill Sound, signposted to the left, through Cloughmore, Dooega, and back on the main R319, to get the best views.

2 Keel Beach – This 2 km long beach is stunning – take photos from the dunes or with the sunset to the west behind you. 

3 Road to Keem Bay – will see an area to pull to the right before Keem beach. Walk across the road and take the view of Keem over your shoulder. Look down the hill and will see one of the EIRE signs which were put in place for World War 2. 

4. Deserted Village – take photos of the houses, the lazy beds where potatoes used to grow, or the medieval road to the west of the village. 

5. Top of the Hill – Drive to the top of the hill at Minaun Heights with 360 views on a clear day.  As you drive back towards Glendarary drive to the top of Minaun heights hill brings you up, past sheep on a narrow road with stunning views from the top. 

With Colorful houses and pubs – THere are many colorful shops, restaurants, pubs, and houses on Achill Island

Visit Smaller Islands from Achill Island 

Inishbiggle is a small island to the northeast of Achill Island., can be accessed by a private ferry trip from the Bull’s Mouth. This narrow stretch of water has the dubious honor of being the fastest tidal race in the EU, so no swimming here.    The island has a small population, no shops or pubs is suited for walking, but there are no services on the island.

 

 

Achill Beog is an uninhabited island to the south of Achill Island. It is worth a day to take a boat for a swim off a deserted beach and walk the island, with private boat hire.

Clare Island – Clare Island can be accessed from the mainland south of Westport by daily ferry. A return boat trip from Achill Island takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays and needs to be pre-booked. Clare Island is a stunning Island with bike hire, walking and feels like you are out on the Atlantic- a great family day on the island 

 

 

Walking on Achill Island 

Walk to the Highest Cliffs in the EU – Park the car at Keem beach’s upper car park and follow the path to

the highest cliffs in  Europe. This is an arduous  Walk (Level 4 Fitness), needing suitable walking boots and clothing, and takes about 45 minutes- 1 hour to reach the cliffs. Another way to view the cliffs is by boat from the northern side of Achill island and can be pre-booked. 

Walking Routes on Achill –  There are many walking routes on Achill Island

Watersports – Surfing is excellent on Achill island at Keel beach and equipment can be hired or a guided lesson.   Kayak trips close to Keel can be pre-booked on the sea or lake. 

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