Achill Island

An island of exceptional natural beauty on the Wild Atlantic Way

Irelands largest offshore island is Achill with its golden beaches, unspoiled beauty and great island skies full of ever changing cloudscapes, continually caressing its peaks and valleys. Achill is joined to the mainland by a bridge at Achill Sound and about half of the island is a Gaeltacht region.  The island has some of the highest and most spectacular sheer cliff faces in Europe, which seem to stand guard before Achill’s heather clad hills as they hurry towards the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 2 hours drive from Galway to Achill in Co. Mayo.

Amazing Achill: Did you know?

• The Banshees of Inisherin movie was filmed extensively on location on Achill Island
• Keem Bay in Achill has been named ‘Best Wild Swimming Spot in UK & Ireland’
• Achill is one of the Irish Times ‘Five Best Places to Holiday in Ireland’
• Achill forms part of the 42km Great Western Greenway, the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland
• The sea cliffs in Achill are the highest in Ireland and provide an epic backdrop to your holiday

All about Achill

Achill is dotted with small villages and magnificent sandy blue flag beaches. The western end of the island is dominated by the majestic 668m Croaghaun Mountain and two other mountains on the island are Slievemore, the highest at 671m and Minaun at 466m. Sea Angling, diving, golf, archaeology and other outdoor activities are common on the island but the peace and quiet is all pervasive.

One of the great attractions of the island is the deserted village situated on the slopes of Slievemore Mountain. With over 70 abandoned homesteads, it is a haunting reminder of hard times. On the southern tip of Achill Sound and looking out on Achillbeg Island is Kildawnit Castle, a stately fifteenth century tower house and once a stronghold of the Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley. On Achill’s south coast, too, are the strangely architectural Cathedral Rocks, while Croaghaun tumbles spectacularly down a 2,000 foot precipice to the sea.

Achill Island has been a favourite retreat of artists and photographers.

Its old-world character has attracted many famous writers down the years including the German Nobel Prize winner Heinrick Boll. Painters such as Paul Henry, Derek Hill, Charles Lamb and the American Robert Henri have all been inspired by Achill’s unusual and dramatic land and seascapes. The Dánlann Yawl Art Gallery in Tóin ré Gaoth offers a range of painting experiences and courses.

The Achill Yawl has a long tradition of being the working fisherman’s boat. In recent years the annual The Yawl Races has led to a renewal of the ancient traditions of this wooden sailing craft. The Yawl can be seen during the summer months on the seas around Achill.

Where to stay in Achill

Achill Island has a great choice of comfortable and friendly places to stay including small hotels, hostels, self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses, B&B’s and campsites.

Book Achill Accommodation

Explore More

Discover The Corraun Peninsula
A drive around the Corraun Peninsula brings you through the village of Corrán (Corraun) where ancient artefacts can be seen in the village hall. The surrounding area contains many historic sites including a shell midden site (probably Megolithic indicating inhabitation some 5,000 to 7,000 years ago), the remains of an 19th century copper mine and many more. South of Corrán is Corrán House with its planned gardens which were first recorded on a map in 1838.

Horse-riding, walking or cycling
The best way to explore the wilderness of the Mayo Gaeltacht is by walking, cycling or on horseback. The environment offers many contrasts of terrain. Walk, cycle or trot along the many booreens or developed routes and experience first hand the living breathing bogland, machair and sand dunes, mountains and cliffs, sandy beaches and rocky coves but most of all fill your lungs with clean air from a pristine environment. Mayo offers a wonderful variety of short walks, hill walks and way marked trails. The terrain varies from level, to easy going to tough mountain climbing where specialist equipment is essential. Whatever you choose, the scenery is unfailingly stupendous and walks are almost always uncrowded.

Go Golfing
Achill Golf Club has a 9 hole links and is situated in the picturesque countryside typical of Achill Island. Par 35 Links.
Contact: Achill Golf Club, Keel. Tel: 098 43456 | Web: http://www.achillgolf.com/

Mulranny Golf Course is a 9 hole links that puts a premium on accuracy.
Contact: Mulranny Golf Club, Mulranny. Tel : 098 36262 | Web: https://mulrannygolfclub.com/

Outdoor Adventure
Achill Outdoor Education Centre
Based in Cashel, Achill this centre offers activities such as kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, surfing, rock climbing, hill walking, orienteering for those aged between 7 and 64.
Contact: Achill Outdoor Education Centre, Achill.
Tel: 098 47253 | Web: https://www.achilloutdoor.com/

Video Guide

Achill Island Map