Activities
Achill Island is Ireland's largest island and is joined to the Irish
mainland by a bridge at Achill Sound. The Island is about 20km east to
west and about 18km north to south. Mountains form the backbone of Achill
Island. They include Slievemore (672m) and Croaghaun (668m), which form
the Achill Head that are the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The Cliffs of
Minaun plunge spectacularly from the peak (466m) to the sea and are the scenic
view from Fuchsia Cottage. Achill Island has five EU Blue Flag beaches,
including Keel Strand and the strand at Keem Bay, a short drive to the seaward
end of Achill Island. There are many historical/ archeological sites to be
explored on Achill Island.
Achill Island really is one of the most spectacular scenic areas in Ireland
and Fuchsia Cottage is in the heart of Achill with shops, restaurants and pubs
in the Village of Keel just a short walk from the front door. Achill
Island is a traditional haven for artists, musicians and visitors seeking to get
away to a slower pace. Walking and enjoying the breathtaking scenery is a
popular activity. The beach at Keel is about 3km long and framed with sea
cliffs below Minaun. Keel beach or strand is a short walk from Fuchsia
Cottage.
Achill Island's has great natural beauty and many outdoor activities
including hiking, surfing, golf, swimming, diving, horseback riding,
windsurfing, sea-kayaking and cycling. Equipment and classes are available for
hire nearby. The waters around Achill Island are a known for sea angling,
with mackerel, pollock, cod, ling, and many other species being commonly caught.
Shore fishing is also popular on Achill Island.
A great activity for any day is to walk to the strand and then walk as far
as the tide will allow (2.4 km at high tide and the full length at low).
The "deserted village" consists of old ruins and is one of several other good
walks on the Island. The Atlantic Drive has spectacular scenery as the
full force of the Atlantic comes ashore along Achill. The view from Minaun
looking out to sea and across Achill is worth the drive up the mountain.
Keem beach or strand is one of the most scenic spots in all of Ireland as it is
a small beach surrounded on each side by cliffs rising up from the sea.
A driving tour of the island with a local guide can be arranged if you prefer to
see the island without driving and learn more about Achill.
There is music in the pubs of Keel and Doagh on several nights a week during
July and August. Achill Sound is the village at the bridge to Achill
Island, where there are restaurants and shopping facilities. A trip to
Westport (about an hour away) is always fun as it is a very quaint Irish town
with an old pub owned by Matt Malloy of Chieftains fame which is a must visit
pub. The nearby Mountain is Croagh Patrick of St. Patrick fame.
July and August is the peak of the tourist season and the pubs are filled
with visitors, many of whom come back to Achill year after year. The off- season
is a slower time and an opportunity to enjoy a little more solitude. May, June,
September and October offer pleasant weather and a great opportunity to visit
Achill.
Achill Tourism offers a link for Achill Island that shows some of the rugged
beauty of the area.
Browse to:
www.achilltourism.com/
Or contact:
ACHILL TOURISM : Cashel, Achill Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Tel: +00353 (0)98 47353 | Fax: +00353 (0)98 47353
email: info@achilltourism.com