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Achill is Ireland's largest island — around 148 km² off County Mayo — and one of the easiest to reach: a bridge links it to the mainland at Achill Sound. People come for its pale sandy beaches, four of which hold the Blue Flag, for the Croaghaun cliffs that plunge 600 metres into the Atlantic, and for Keem Bay, at the end of the road, one of the most beautiful bays in Ireland. About half the island is part of the Gaeltacht, where Irish is still the everyday language.
Keem Bay, Croaghaun and the Atlantic Drive
The Atlantic Drive runs along the south of the island, between cliffs and coves, to Keem Bay, a turquoise inlet framed by mountains near Achill Head — it was a filming location for "The Banshees of Inisherin". In the north-west, Croaghaun (688 m) has some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe; you can climb it on foot, in clear weather and with good shoes.
The beaches of Keel, Keem, Dugort and Dooega hold the Blue Flag in 2026. Keel, several kilometres long, is the island's surfing and kitesurfing spot.
A deserted village and a pirate queen's tower
On the slopes of Slievemore, the deserted village lines up nearly a hundred roofless stone houses, bearing witness to seasonal settlement and the Great Famine. To the south, Kildavnet Tower is associated with Grace O'Malley, the "pirate queen" who ruled Clew Bay in the 16th century.
Achill has also drawn artists: the painter Paul Henry, and the Nobel Prize-winning writer Heinrich Böll, who had a cottage there. Several galleries in Keel and Dooagh now show work by island artists.
By bike on the Greenway, by car on the island
The Great Western Greenway, a 42 km trail along the old railway line, links Westport to Achill: you can cycle it in a day, with bike hire at both ends. On the island, a car is still the most practical way to get from one beach to another; the TFI Local Link 460a bus links Achill Sound to Castlebar.
From Dublin, allow about 4 h 30 by road, or take the train to Westport and then the bus. The nearest airport is Ireland West (Knock), about 1 h 30 away.
The essentials
| Getting there | By car over the Michael Davitt Bridge (R319); train Dublin → Westport then bus; Knock airport ≈ 1 h 30 away |
|---|---|
| Best season | May to September; July–August for the beach and water sports |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | English and Irish (about half the island is in the Gaeltacht) |
| Entry requirements | Valid ID card or passport |
Your questions answered
How do I get to Achill?
Achill is linked to the mainland by a bridge at Achill Sound: you can get there by car, by bus from Westport or Castlebar, or by bike along the Great Western Greenway from Westport (42 km).
What is the most beautiful beach on Achill?
Keem Bay, at the end of the Atlantic Drive, is the most famous; Keel, Dugort and Dooega also hold the Blue Flag in 2026.
How many days should I spend on Achill?
Two to three days for the beaches, the Atlantic Drive, the deserted village and a hike; one more day to cycle the Greenway.
Photo: Sonse, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons