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Ciaran Connolly
Ciaran Connolly
Achill Island is one of the best places to visit in Ireland if you want to experience the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, traditional Irish culture, and good craic all in one place! Located off the coast of mainland Ireland, Achill should be on your travel bucket list when visiting the West.
Achill Island in Co. Mayo is a jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The island is perfect for a getaway with beautiful secluded beaches, the highest sea cliffs in Ireland, and the iconic Keem Bay.
Achill Island, one of our favourite locations in the West of Ireland, was also shortlisted by The Irish Times as one of the top 5 best places to holiday in Ireland. The movie The Banshees of Inisherin was filmed on location in Achill island, which certainly added to its charm. Colin Farrell won ‘Best Actor‘ at the Venice Film Festival for his role in the film.
This article explores all that Achill Island offers and 5 incredible reasons to visit this Irish destination. Scroll down to continue reading, or click on one of the highlighted sections below to jump ahead in the article!
Table of Contents
General Information for Your Stay at Achill Island
Achill Island is the largest island in Ireland, located off the country’s west coast. The island is located in County Mayo and is known for its natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and stunning coastline. Achill Island is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts due to its wide range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, fishing, and water sports.
How to Get to Achill Island
Achill is accessible by car via the Michael Davitt Bridge, which means you can drive to and from this destination at any time during your visit. The bridge makes the island accessible for those staying nearby to visit and explore on a day trip or weekend getaway.
Are you thinking about taking the road trip to Achill Island? Here’s how long it takes to drive to the island from some of the most popular destinations in Ireland:
- Dublin to Achill Island: 4 Hours
- Shannon Airport to Achill Island: 3 Hours
- Belfast to Achill Island: 5 to 6 Hours
- West Airport Knock to Achill Island: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
- Galway to Achill Island: 2 Hours 20 Minutes
West Airport Knock is the closest airport to the island and a great destination to fly into if you want to stay on Achill Island. You can organise car rental options before you arrive and you will avoid heavy traffic and motorway journeys from larger cities.
Located in the East of County Mayo, the airport is close to all the best attractions in the West of Ireland. West Airport Knock offers flights mainly to and from Mainland UK. However, it also provides flights to destinations across Europe, such as Majorca, Cologne, Milan, Međugorje, Lourdes, Barcelona, and more!
If you’re starting your journey to Achill Island from Dublin, rail services are available that take riders to Castlebar and Westport, which are close to the island. Visitors can take an hour-long bus ride from these towns to the island. Additionally, boats to and from Clare Island to Achill Island can be organised if you wish to explore during your stay!
Getting Around Achill Island
Travelling around the island by car is generally recommended, but you can also rent a bike. Achill Island features a bus service for locals and tourists, but it is seasonal and unavailable during some of the year, so make sure to check ahead if you plan to travel by bus!
A car will give you the most freedom during your stay, especially outside of the summer season when some public transport services are limited or unavailable.
Where to Stay on Achill Island
There are plenty of accommodation options on the island, from an extensive selection of B&Bs, hostels, and guesthouses to self-catering options. You may choose to go camping or stay in a caravan during your time in Achill. There are also hotels in Achill Island for those wishing to relax in the evenings. You can learn more about all the types of accommodation and eating and drinking options on the official Achill Tourism website.
Achill is a very tourist-friendly destination. The locals are the best guides to any area and make up the majority of the service sector staff. Your barman, receptionist, or waiter can give you great tips about the island, such as the best things to do and the best times to visit places of interest.
5 Great Reasons to Visit Achill Island
#1 The Wild Atlantic Way
Achill Island is at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way. If you are taking a coastal road trip, I highly recommend visiting Achill for a day or even a weekend.
The small island encompasses everything great about the Wild Atlantic Way, including traditional Irish pubs and food, friendly seaside towns, stunning coastal views, the beautiful Irish countryside, historic sites and a magical atmosphere you can’t get anywhere else.
#2 Beaches on Achill Island
On a fine summer’s day, there is nowhere more perfect than Achill’s beaches; the crystal clear water and soft sand will make you forget you’re in Ireland. One of the best things about Irish beaches is that they are much more secluded than in other countries – you may have a whole beach to yourself when you visit!
Achill has 5 blue-flag beaches:
- Keem Bay Beach
- Tramore Strand beach
- Silver Strand beach
- Golden Strand beach
- Dooega Beach
A sixth blue beach is nearby in Mulranny, the village which connects Achill Island to the mainland. The Blue Flag scheme is an international standard that recognises the cleanest beaches with the best water quality, environmental education management and safety services.
Keem Beach
Keem Bay, located at the western tip of Achill Island, was named the best wild swimming spot in the UK and Ireland. Nestled between the slopes of Croaghaun Mountain and Moyteoge Head, It is the most popular beach for tourists due to its picturesque views and secluded atmosphere.
Keem Bay is almost uninhabited (the only building there is a former coastguard station), and it’s a very peaceful retreat; you’ll feel like you are sitting on an exotic beach on a warm summer day.
In terms of activities, the bay is very popular for water sports, and there are surfing schools in the local area. The beach is lifeguarded during the bathing season, and more information can be found on the notice boards located at the beach. You can even try snorkelling on the Bluewater Trail at the bay!
The bay has a strong connection with fishing. It was the location for much of Achill’s shark fishing industry during the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, the basking shark was a frequent visitor to the waters around Keem Bay and was hunted for its liver oil. Much of this fishing occurred in Currach’s, the traditional canvas-covered wooden vessels of the west of Ireland.
Trawmore Beach
One of the best-known and most photographed beaches in Achill, Trawmore Beach (also known as Keel Beach) stretches 3km at the foot of the Minaun Cliffs. The beach is popular with bathers and for water sports such as surfing and kayaking.
Important to know: The waters on the eastern half of the beach are dangerous due to treacherous local currents. Lifeguards usually patrol during the summer season, and prominent safety notices should be read before swimming in the sea. Avoid swimming in the ocean if lifeguards are not on duty.
Silver Strand Beach & Golden Strand Beach
On the island’s north side, the village of Dugort has two beautiful beaches. Both beaches face Backsod Bay and the Belmullet Peninsula. The Blueway kayak trail is located in this area; visitors can paddle from Silver Strand to Golden Strand. During your stay, you will see seal caves and bird colonies!
Dooega Beach
Dooega is a picturesque fishing village that overlooks Clare Island and the Atlantic Ocean. The beach at Dooega is called Camport Bay. There are many historic sites around the area, including two forts.
#3 Historical Sites on Achill Island
No trip to Westport, or County Mayo in general, would be complete without a visit to Achill Island. The island was first inhabited almost 5,000 years ago and is the largest of all islands off the coast of Ireland. The people who have lived here for thousands of years have left their mark on the island. Below, we have included some exciting locations you can visit.
Grace O’Malley’s Castle
Grace O’Malley, or Granuaile, was the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Grace was born on the nearby Clare Island. The 15th-century Kildownet Castle became one of the strongholds of the pirate queen. The National Monument is a tower house.
The tower house provided protection and defence and was also an important strategic location for the pirate queen. The castle is an impressive structure of four storeys high that dominates the otherwise untouched area.
Kildamhnait
Kildamhnait Castle has a rich history. It is named after St Damhnait, who founded a church there in the 7th century. A holy well is just outside the castle’s graveyard.
The official tourism website offers more information about Achill’s history, including a fascinating 17th-century prophecy about the island’s former railway system that came true.
#4 Achill Island is Bursting with Arts and Culture
Pubs and Food:
The island has plenty of pubs, restaurants, cafés, and takeaway options. You can enjoy traditional Irish dishes made with the best local produce and catch, as well as all the modern dishes you would expect.
Achill was an island of farmers and fishermen throughout the centuries, and the delicious meals in Achill are evidence of Ireland’s firm reputation for producing high-quality food. If you live in self-catering accommodation, there is a supermarket on the island for your convenience.
County Mayo organises The Achill Seafood Festival in mid-summer, around July, to complement its cuisine. This festival offers the best delicious gourmet seafood in Ireland, with plenty of restaurants and pubs participating in events.
Arts and Culture:
Pubs on the island frequently hold both organized and impromptu music sessions. Scoil Acla is a summer school that has taught traditional Irish music for over a century, so you can be sure to hear some great music during your stay!
If you are an experienced musician, you can join in during the session! Check out Achill Tourism’s weekly event listings to see what’s on during your stay!
#5 More Amazing Things to Do on Achill Island
Water-Based Activities
Achill Island is a paradise for lovers of all outdoor pursuits and water sports. Popular water sports on Achill Island include swimming, windsurfing, kite surfing, kayaking and canoeing.
Moreover, Achill Island also has Europe’s third-highest sea cliffs on the northern slope of Croaghaun Mountain. While cliff diving is hazardous, they are fantastic to gaze at and admire.
There are plenty of other options for water sports activities on the island, including canoe/kayaking lessons, coasteering, ferries and boat trips, kitesurfing, and surfing lessons. No matter which interests you most, you’re sure to have a great experience!
Snorkelling
There is a wide variety of fish species and marine features for scuba divers and snorkelers. We can’t wait to try the snorkelling experience at Achill!
With any water-based activity, make sure to be safe. Don’t attempt snorkelling or other water-based activities without professional supervision and assistance. Check lifeguard schedules and weather conditions before you enter the sea.
Land Based Activities
Why not go fishing if you prefer to stay out of the water? Fishing off the Irish coast is famous for locals and tourists due to the country’s extensive coastline and abundant marine life. Ireland offers many fishing opportunities, from sea and deep-sea fishing to freshwater angling in rivers and lakes.
Another great activity is shark and dolphin sighting through guided tours. Watching dolphins and sharks off the Irish coast is a thrilling and memorable experience for wildlife lovers. While Ireland may not be as famous as some other destinations for marine wildlife encounters, it does offer opportunities to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
You can hike around the island or hire a bike if you prefer dry land. Guided tours, hill walks, and horse riding adventures are also available. The island’s rugged and scenic landscapes and natural beauty make it an excellent destination for hiking and exploring.
Additionally, Achill Island is a scenic place to visit and play a few rounds of golf. Although the island is not typically known as a golfing destination compared to other regions in Ireland like County Kerry or County Clare, it offers a unique and scenic golfing experience for those looking to enjoy the sport in a picturesque coastal setting.
Achill’s Blueway, Greenway & Atlantic Drive
Achill’s Blueway network is a network of water trails where you can experience a variety of water sports, including kayaking and snorkelling.
The Greenway is a world-class cycling and walking trail and the longest one in Ireland. It runs from Westport to Achill. In 2011, the Great Western Greenway was awarded the EDEN European Destination of Excellence Award for Sustainable Tourism.
The Atlantic Drive comprises over 20km of coastal scenery, making it a perfect car or bike adventure. On the route, you will spot the tower at Kildavnet, a 16th-century Irish tower used by the legendary Pirate Queen Granuaile.
Courses and Lessons
You can take surfing lessons on the island at Achill’s Surf Activity Centre. Due to the exposed coastline and the consistent swell from the Atlantic Ocean, surfing on Achill Island is popular with tourists and locals. The island offers a variety of surf spots suitable for surfers of different skill levels, making it an excellent destination for both beginners and experienced surfers.
Additionally, this part of Ireland has a range of summer camps, which makes it a great destination for kids! The camps host different activities such as outdoor adventures, nature exploration, water sports, arts and crafts, and more. They provide a way for children and teenagers to engage in fun, educational experiences while enjoying the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that Achill Island offers.
Achill Island is a Fantastic Destination in Ireland!
We hope this article has encouraged you to visit Achill Island! There is so much to do in terms of water and land activities. Life at Achill is relaxed; you can spend your days exploring the island or strolling the many Blue Flag beaches at your leisure.
At night, locals and tourists flock to pubs to enjoy hearty meals, plenty of pints and great live music. If you want to experience traditional Irish life at its best while still enjoying modern comforts, then Achill Island is the place for you!
If you have enjoyed this article, why not check out more blogs on Ireland’s best tourist destinations, including:
County Clare Travel Guide | Best Bars in Ireland by City: The Ultimate Irish Pub Guide | Things to do in Galway | The Names of the 32 County of Ireland Explained | Galway Pub Guide: The Best 25 Bars
