Achill Island
Ireland'S Largest Island, Joined To The Mainland By A Bridge, With Keem Bay, The Atlantic Drive, The Sea Cliffs Of Croaghaun And The Western End Of The Great Western Greenway · Keel, Mayo
Achill Island is Ireland's largest island, roughly 150 square km of bog, mountain and beach off the Mayo coast, joined to the mainland by the Michael Davitt Bridge at Achill Sound, so you drive or cycle on with no ferry. It is known for Keem Bay, a horseshoe of pale sand and clear green water at the end of a cliff road; for the Atlantic Drive along the south coast; for the long beaches at Keel and Dugort; and for the sea cliffs of Croaghaun, often said to be among the highest in Europe. On the slopes of Slievemore stand the roofless stone cottages of the Deserted Village, a quiet record of hunger, emigration and the old summer grazing custom. People come to drive and walk, to surf at Keel, to cycle the Great Western Greenway from Westport, and for a wilder, less crowded west than Kerry. The honest caveat: the weather is raw and changes by the hour, the roads are narrow and full of free-roaming sheep, Keem's car park fills on sunny days, and some beaches carry strong currents - swim only where lifeguards are on duty.
Achill Island, County Mayo, reached by the Michael Davitt Bridge at Achill Sound; Keel and Dooagh on the west side, Keel, Mayo, Ireland
Achill is open all year and always reachable by the bridge; beaches, viewpoints and the Deserted Village are free and unfenced at any hour. Cafes, surf schools, bike hire and many B and Bs keep full hours from roughly Easter to September and shorten or close in winter (confirm). Achill Sound is about 45-60 minutes' drive from Westport (roughly 50 km) and about 4.5-5 hours from Dublin; a Bus Eireann or TFI Local Link service from Westport reaches Achill Sound and Keel (confirm route and times), and the Great Western Greenway ends at Achill Sound. Nothing needs booking except summer rooms, bikes and surf lessons in July and August.